This activity uses three folk tales from different cultures to explore the perceptions (and stereotypes) we may have about different cultures.

“Classic fairy tales do not deny the existence of heartache and sorrow, but they do deny universal defeat.”

Greenhaven Press

Issues addressed

• Perceptions and images we have of other cultures and of our own
• Ethnocentrism and stereotyping

Aims

• To challenge stereotypes and prejudice about other cultures' values
• To raise curiosity about other peoples, cultures and language
• To puzzle participants and promote a good atmosphere in the group

Preparation / Materials

• Choose all or some of the tales, and make a copy for each participant
• Prepare a flip chart with the names of the tales, where they come from and the last sentence of each story – all to be revealed only during the discussion.
• Flip chart and markers to record the brainstorming

Instructions

1. Hand each participant a copy of the tales and give them 15 or 20 minutes to read them.
2. Ask each participant to try to guess where the tales come from and what the moral is.
3. Then ask participants to get into groups of 4 to 6 to exchange their guesses and to discuss their reasons for them.
4. Now ask each group to come up with a common decision about the origin and moral of each tale.
5. Allow 30-45 minutes for these group discussions.
6. In plenary, ask each group to present their conclusions and the reasons behind their decisions; then move on to the evaluation.
7. You will have to judge at what point in the discussion you reveal where each tale comes from.

Debriefing and evaluation

• Did you enjoy the tales?
• Were you surprised at the origins? Was it difficult to guess where they came from? What clues did participants look for?
• What are the morals of the tales? Were the morals clear or did the different groups find different meanings?
• Ask the group to brainstorm the ideals revealed by the stories, for instance, sympathy, generosity, hope, and courage.
• Are these values, dreams and wisdom universal, and are they found in folk tales of all cultures? Why? Why not?
• Do folk tales exist in all cultures?
• What was the traditional purpose of folk tales?
• Can you think of folk tales in your own culture that teach these morals? Are they old, or written by recent or modern authors?
• Today in the 21st century we live in communities that are very different from even 50 years ago. Are folk tales still relevant to our daily lives and hopes. Do we still need them?

Tips for the facilitators

In the originals of the stories, the morals were given in the last lines, but removed from the texts below. Here are those last lines for you to share with the participants.

The blind wild boar is a tale from Tigrea, Ethiopia. The final sentence is: “It is funny. Even the animals show consideration for their fellow creatures. Should not we, people who have been gifted with intelligence, take care of our parents, siblings and friends who happen to be in need of help?”

The tale of W.X. comes from China. The last sentence is: “Like W.X., we should never give up hope.”

The pigeons and the birdcatcher’s net comes from India. The last sentence is: “The whole flock offered their deepest thanks to the mouse.”

Folk tales are one of the most interesting and revealing expressions of culture. Anchored in history, and verbally transmitted, they are the carriers of a culture’s the main values. Because all people share a common humanity, it is unsurprising that similar tales often exist in different versions in different countries, the differences being due to variations in geographical and climatic conditions, religion, values, history, and so on.

Participants will get the most out of the activity if they are able to go beyond the strict practical circumstances (such as the climate, or whether a certain animal exists in a given region), and also look into the values (or the morals) transmitted by the tale.

If you want to find tales other than those suggested here, bear in mind that the activity works best if you give participants a range of choices of sources for tales, such as from southern Europe, northern Europe, central Europe, eastern Europe, Africa, the Middle East, South America, Asia, or North America.

If you are working with a multicultural or international group, you may like to look at how a specific ideal or moral value, for instance, kindness to strangers or integrity in the face of danger, is presented in different cultures. Ask participants to bring tales from their own cultures or countries to a future session. Alternatively, ask them to bring proverbs or rituals, for instance, rituals in relation to when a baby is born, that embody moral values. Many countries have traditions relating to giving knives: for example, in France, if you give a knife to a friend, this friend should give you one euro in return so as not to cut the friendship.

Suggestions for follow-up

Take action: Invite friends to an intercultural night. Have music, food and dance and tell folk tales from different cultures and countries around a campfire. Perhaps the group may enjoy writing their own stories, transforming traditional tales into modern ones. Who are the princesses now? Where are the dragons? Who are the baddies and who are the goodies? Who are the modern Romeo and Juliet?

Move on to another activity: If you like reading stories, perhaps you also like playing games: ‘Limit 20’ provides plenty of fun and action!