Directions: For this portfolio, you will be analyzing 2 stories: “The Swallow and the Pumpkinseed” & “Don’t Count Your Chickens”. The first is a folktale, & the second is written in the style of a folktale. Your analysis should focus on the following essay prompt: What life lesson or important values do you think the younger brothers in the two stories help readers understand?

Your essay must be at least 3 paragraphs.

Read the stories & choose a life lesson OR important value that you feel the readers should learn based on the younger brothers in BOTH stories. Find evidence in BOTH stories to support your thesis.

Answer the question, “How are the younger boys DIFFERENT from the older brothers in BOTH stories?” and find evidence from BOTH stories to support your answer.

Find TWO examples of how the authors’ use of plot events, language, and literary devices give BOTH stories meaning & show what the authors want the readers to learn (Author’s Message).

Your analysis must be submitted in MLA format & include a Works Cited Page for the 2 stories.

1 answer

In the stories “The Swallow and the Pumpkinseed” and “Don’t Count Your Chickens”, the younger brothers embody the values of patience, humility, and perseverance. Both stories highlight the importance of having faith in oneself and never giving up, even in the face of challenges.

In “The Swallow and the Pumpkinseed”, the younger brother, Pumpkinseed, is patient and humble. Despite being ridiculed and underestimated by his older brothers, he continues to work hard and prove himself. Pumpkinseed’s determination and perseverance eventually lead him to a successful outcome, demonstrating the value of staying true to oneself and trusting in one’s abilities.

Similarly, in “Don’t Count Your Chickens”, the younger brothers show resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity. Despite facing obstacles and setbacks, the younger brothers remain steadfast in their belief that they can overcome any challenge. Their unwavering determination and positive attitude enable them to achieve their goals and ultimately outshine their older brothers.

The younger boys in both stories are different from their older brothers in their humility and willingness to learn from their mistakes. While the older brothers in both stories are arrogant and overconfident, the younger brothers display a sense of humility and openness to new experiences. This allows them to adapt to changing circumstances and ultimately succeed in their endeavors.

The authors’ use of plot events, language, and literary devices in both stories serve to convey important life lessons to readers. Through the characters of the younger brothers, the authors illustrate the value of hard work, patience, and perseverance in achieving one’s goals. The authors’ messages emphasize the importance of staying true to oneself, never giving up, and believing in one’s abilities, even in the face of adversity.

Works Cited:

- “The Swallow and the Pumpkinseed”
- “Don’t Count Your Chickens”
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