Rama and Sita: book club questions by chapter

🦉 Rama and Sita · meeting 1 of 3

Read: Part One, “The Prince of Ayodhya”; Part Two, “Fourteen Years in the Forest” (pages 1–6, about 6 minutes aloud).
Stop at the end of page 6, and don't read on: the next part is for next time.

1. Why did Rama go to live in the forest for fourteen years?
   The story's answer: To keep the promise his father had made to Kaikeyi
2. What did Bharata put on the throne while Rama was away?
   The story's answer: Rama's sandals
3. 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.
4. The part we just read is called "Fourteen Years in the Forest". 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.
5. 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.

🦉 Rama and Sita · meeting 2 of 3

Read: Part Three, “The Search”; Part Four, “Hanuman's Leap” (pages 7–12, about 6 minutes aloud).
Stop at the end of page 12, and don't read on: the next part is for next time.

1. How did Sita help Rama find out which way Ravana had taken her?
   The story's answer: She dropped her jewelry as she flew
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 "Hanuman's Leap". 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.

🦉 Rama and Sita · meeting 3 of 3

Read: Part Five, “The Battle and the Lamps” (pages 13–15, about 3 minutes aloud).
Stop at the end of page 15, the end of the story.

1. Why do families light rows of lamps at Diwali?
   The story's answer: To remember how the people lit Rama and Sita's way home
2. What does the story of Rama teach?
   The story's answer: Goodness, loyalty and keeping your word are stronger than darkness
3. 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.
4. The part we just read is called "The Battle and the Lamps". 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.
5. 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. What does this story tell you about the place it comes from?
   Listen for: Food, weather, animals, how people live: anything the story shows.
2. Does it remind you of another story you know?
   Listen for: Many folk tales have cousins in other countries.
3. Who was the cleverest person in the story, and how did they show it?
   Listen for: Ask for the moment.
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.