Androcles and the Lion: book club questions by chapter

🦉 Androcles and the Lion · meeting 1 of 3

Read: Part One, “The Cave in the Desert” (pages 1–4, about 4 minutes aloud).
Stop at the end of page 4, and don't read on: the next part is for next time.

1. Who have we met so far, and what does each of them want?
   Listen for: Make a list together on the board; keep it for next time and add to it.
2. The part we just read is called "The Cave in the Desert". Why do you think it has that name?
   Listen for: Any answer that points to a moment in the part is a good one; ask for the page.
3. Stop here. What do you think will happen next? Write or draw one guess to check next time.
   Listen for: Keep the guesses in an envelope. Don't say whether a guess is right: the next part will.

🦉 Androcles and the Lion · meeting 2 of 3

Read: Part Two, “The Arena” (pages 5–8, about 4 minutes aloud).
Stop at the end of page 8, and don't read on: the next part is for next time.

1. Why did Androcles run away into the desert?
   The story's answer: His master treated his servants cruelly
2. Look back at last time's guesses. Which came true, and what surprised you?
   Listen for: Read the guesses out. Nobody was wrong: a guess that missed often shows what the author wanted us to expect.
3. The part we just read is called "The Arena". Why do you think it has that name?
   Listen for: Any answer that points to a moment in the part is a good one; ask for the page.
4. Stop here. What do you think will happen next? Write or draw one guess to check next time.
   Listen for: Keep the guesses in an envelope. Don't say whether a guess is right: the next part will.

🦉 Androcles and the Lion · meeting 3 of 3

Read: Part Three, “The Reward” (pages 9–12, about 4 minutes aloud).
Stop at the end of page 12, the end of the story.

1. What was wrong with the lion in the cave?
   The story's answer: It had a thorn deep in its paw
2. Why did the lion in the arena lie down at Androcles' feet?
   The story's answer: It recognized the man who had helped it
3. How did Androcles recognize the lion?
   The story's answer: By the old scar on its paw
4. What does this story teach?
   The story's answer: Kindness can be repaid, even long after and far away
5. Look back at last time's guesses. Which came true, and what surprised you?
   Listen for: Read the guesses out. Nobody was wrong: a guess that missed often shows what the author wanted us to expect.
6. The part we just read is called "The Reward". Why do you think it has that name?
   Listen for: Any answer that points to a moment in the part is a good one; ask for the page.
7. Now that you know the ending, was it the ending you expected?
   Listen for: Ask what in the earlier parts pointed to it, or pointed the other way.

About the whole story

1. Do you agree with the lesson? Can you think of a time it would not be true?
   Listen for: Any answer with a reason is a good one; listen for a real example from their own lives.
2. Which animal would you rather be in this story, and why?
   Listen for: Children often pick the winner; ask what the other animal could have done differently.
3. If you told this fable with people instead of animals, who would they be?
   Listen for: A way into why fables use animals: everyone can see themselves in them.
4. Who would you give this story to, and why them?
   Listen for: A reader who can name the right person has understood what the story is like.
5. If you could ask the person who first told this story one question, what would it be?
   Listen for: Collect the questions; some have answers on the story's page in the library.