The Sparrow with the Slit Tongue
A Japanese tale from The Pink Fairy Book, collected by Andrew Lang
This traditional Japanese tale appears in Andrew Lang's The Pink Fairy Book, first published in 1897. Lang collected fairy tales and folklore from around the world for children to enjoy. The story reflects its era; a few period terms have been modernised. It teaches that kindness brings reward and greed brings trouble. The old man's gentle care for a frightened creature and the wife's cruelty show two different ways to live, and the sparrow remembers which one deserves thanks.
- Band
- Purple · Pre-readers and first readersTypical starting range: ages 4–5
- Length
- short · about 375 words in 6 sections · 4 pictures
- Source
- The Pink Fairy Book, Andrew Lang
- First published
- see the About page in the reader
- Regions
- Canada · United States
Included formats
- · Web reader and PDF
- · EPUB for e-readers
- · Home-print sheet
- · Folded booklet
- · Binder edition (8.5 × 11)
- · Worksheet
- · Quick Check (6 questions) with answer key
- · Read-aloud script
- · Colouring page
- · Teacher’s Edition (members)
Lesson at a glance
- Reading
- about 9 minutes at this band
- Pause questions
- 5
- Words to Know
- 4
- Quick Check
- 6 questions, with the answer key
- Let’s Talk
- 3 questions for afterwards
- Worksheet
- questions, an activity and a drawing prompt
About 35 minutes with one story, all of it.
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The same story
Other bands of this story
This story is ready now at the Purple band only. Other bands can be made to order for members after launch.