In 3–5 sentences, identify one instance in which a character accepts or rejects a cultural norm and explain how the story indicates to the audience what the expectation for the norm is in the culture to which the story belongs. Use evidence from the text to support your answer.
"This story follows a lion who is shy and afraid to act for fear of looking foolish. While the lion watches quietly, several other animals step up to lead without hesitation—and make things progressively worse. Each time, the lion quietly tells his mouse friend how he would have done things, and each idea sounds like it would have been a much better and more logical solution. Finally, the mouse points out that the most foolish animals in the kingdom have stepped up to lead without hesitation and suggests that the biggest fool of them all is the lion, who has the best ideas but is too timid to lead. The lion takes the mouse’s words to heart and steps up to rule."
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In this instance, the character of the lion rejects the cultural norm of being timid and shy in leadership roles. The story indicates to the audience that the expectation for leaders in this culture is to be assertive and bold, even if their decisions may not always be the most logical. The other animals in the kingdom are portrayed as foolish for their reckless actions, but the lion's willingness to listen to the mouse's advice and take action ultimately leads to success. This demonstrates that in this culture, it is better to take charge and make mistakes than to hold back and do nothing at all.
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