Top 7 Best Lesson Plans for the story 'Cây khế' (Literature 6 - Kết nối tri thức textbook)

Before Reading

Question (page 31 of the 6th-grade Literature Textbook, Volume 2)

Many of you must have dreamed of visiting a remote island far out in the sea, one that no one knows about, and often imagining it to be full of fascinating wonders. Imagine yourself in that situation. What miraculous things would you share with your friends based on what you witnessed?

Method of Solution:

Try to imagine and share your personal feelings.

Detailed Solution:

You are on a remote island far away from the mainland. Before you is a deserted beach, calm and silent, with only sparse bushes scattered around. The atmosphere feels incredibly untouched. The seawater is highly saline and transparent, allowing you to see the sand beneath the surface. Ahead of you is the vast, endless ocean, while the mountains behind and on both sides stand like a fortress wall. To reach the island, you must either climb over the mountains or pass through a tunnel. Here, people would build "aquariums" where one could observe schools of dolphins, lobsters, sea turtles, octopuses, and sharks swimming around colorful coral reefs.

Part II

Read the Text

Question 1 (page 32 of the 6th-grade Literature Textbook, Volume 2)

What is special about the time and place where the story occurs?

Method of Solution:

Read the first part of the text carefully.

Detailed Solution:

• Time: Once upon a time.
• Place: In a certain house.

=> The time and place are unspecified, which is a common feature in folk tales.

Question 2 (page 32 of the 6th-grade Literature Textbook, Volume 2)

What do you think will happen next?

Method of Solution:

Read carefully how the couple interacts with the bird and predict what might happen.

Detailed Solution:

The kind-hearted couple feeds the bird every day. I predict that the bird will repay them for their kindness.

Question 3 (page 32 of the 6th-grade Literature Textbook, Volume 2)

Imagine a large cave full of gold, diamonds, glass, amber... What does it look like?

Method of Solution:

Use your imagination and express your thoughts.

Detailed Solution:

A large cave filled with precious items like gold, diamonds, glass, and amber would be dazzling, beautiful, and radiate light that illuminates the whole sky.

Question 4 (page 34 of the 6th-grade Literature Textbook, Volume 2)

What will happen because of the bag made by the brother's wife?

Method of Solution:

Recall what size the bird asked for the bag to be and how the brother made it.

Detailed Solution:

The brother's bag will cause disaster because it is too large, exceeding the weight that the bird can carry.

Question 1 (page 35 of the 6th-grade Literature Textbook, Volume 2)

What story does the "Tree of Starfruit" tell? Which detail do you like most in the story?

Method of Solution:

Recall the content and choose the detail you like the most, then explain why.

Detailed Solution:

- "The Tree of Starfruit" tells the story of a kind-hearted younger brother who has a starfruit tree. A bird eats the fruit and repays him by giving him gold, while the greedy older brother trades all his possessions for the younger brother's tree, only to die from greed for too much gold.

- The detail I like most is when the bird speaks in response to the younger brother because it shows the bird’s gratitude and also contains a magical element.

Question 2 (page 35 of the 6th-grade Literature Textbook, Volume 2)

Summarize the story of "The Tree of Starfruit".

Method of Solution:

Recall the content, extract the main events, and summarize the story.

Detailed Solution:

Once upon a time, there were two brothers whose parents passed away and left them a large inheritance. The greedy older brother took all the property, leaving only a small garden with a starfruit tree for the younger brother. The younger brother worked hard, tending the tree, and when the fruit ripened, a strange bird came and ate the fruit. The younger brother wept, and the eagle told him to make a three-yard bag to receive the bird's gift. The bird took the younger brother to an island to collect gold, and the younger brother became the richest person in the area. The older brother, hearing of this, swapped all his possessions for the starfruit tree, and when the bird offered to repay him, the older brother, greedy for more gold, made a bag too large. On the journey to collect the gold, the bag became too heavy, and the older brother fell into the sea and perished.

Question 3 (page 35 of the 6th-grade Literature Textbook, Volume 2)

Fairy tales often begin with familiar phrases indicating the past and an undefined space. Can you find these phrases in the "Tree of Starfruit" story?

Method of Solution:

Read the text again and find the words indicating time and space.

Detailed Solution:

The words that indicate time in the past and undefined space in the "Tree of Starfruit" story are: Once upon a time, a house, and a deep cave.

Question 4 (page 35 of the 6th-grade Literature Textbook, Volume 2)

Is the bird that takes the brothers to the deserted island a magical creature? Why?

Method of Solution:

Think about the bird's characteristics and answer the question.

Detailed Solution:

- The bird that takes the brothers to the deserted island is a magical creature.

- The bird speaks, saying, "Eat one fruit, get one gold nugget, make a three-yard bag to carry it." The bird comes to eat the starfruit, speaks, and knows how to repay people and take them to collect gold.

- The author of this folk tale uses the magical bird to gift the younger brother something precious, symbolizing that good deeds are rewarded.

Question 5 (page 35 of the 6th-grade Literature Textbook, Volume 2)

In fairy tale narration, folk authors often insert phrases similar to folk songs or proverbs, words that are easy to remember and repeat. Does this story contain such a phrase? Who said it?

Method of Solution:

Read the text again and find the details or phrases that resemble folk songs, proverbs, or memorable words.

Detailed Solution:

- In the narration of this folk tale, the author inserts phrases like the one from a folk song or proverb, such as "Eat one fruit, get one gold nugget, make a three-yard bag to carry it." This is a saying from the magical bird.

Question 6 (page 35 of the 6th-grade Literature Textbook, Volume 2)

What is special about the island where the bird takes the younger brother? How did this wonder help the younger brother's life afterward?

Method of Solution:

Pay attention to the part of the text describing the island and list the strange details.

Detailed Solution:

The island where the bird takes the younger brother is miraculous. It is full of gold. From then on, the couple lives more comfortably with land and a house, and their life becomes less difficult. The magical detail of the phoenix bird eating the starfruit and giving back gold is a key part of the story's enchantment.

Question 7 (page 35 of the 6th-grade Literature Textbook, Volume 2)

In the story, the two characters, the older and younger brothers, are always contrasted by their actions. Identify the contrasts between them and provide your observations about their characteristics.

Method of Solution:

Follow the text, list the contrasts between the characters' actions.

Detailed Solution:

In the story, the two brothers are contrasted by their actions. The contrasts are:

- The older brother: He represents greed and selfishness.

• The older brother is selfish and stingy. When their parents died, he took all the land and left only a hut and the starfruit tree for the younger brother.
• The older brother, greedy for more, made a 12-yard bag to accompany the bird in getting gold.

=> The older brother's death is a warning against greed and selfishness.

- The younger brother: He represents kindness, honesty, and righteousness.

• The younger brother is kind-hearted and generous, giving up his share of property for his brother.
• When the bird eats the starfruit, the younger brother allows the bird to eat without chasing it away.
• Due to his good nature, the younger brother shares his story, especially with his older brother.
• When the older brother grows greedy and desires the starfruit tree, the younger brother is still willing to share it with him.

=> The younger brother and his wife live happily with land and a home, reflecting the outcome for those who "do good deeds and receive good fortune."

Question 8 (page 35 of the 6th-grade Literature Textbook, Volume 2)

From the different fates of the older and younger brothers, what moral lesson does the folk author want to convey in this story?

Method of Solution:

Based on the story's conclusion, explain the moral lesson the author wants to teach.

Detailed Solution:

• From the contrasting fates of the older and younger brothers, the folk author wants to impart a lesson about gratitude, the belief that good will always be rewarded, and the value of kindness in life.
• The story of eating the starfruit and receiving gold also serves as an educational tale for children to instill good virtues for their future lives.

Write a Continuation After Reading

Imagine an alternative ending to the "Tree of Starfruit" story. Write a short paragraph (about 5-7 sentences) narrating that ending.

Method of Solution:

Write a paragraph that meets the format requirements and imagine a different ending to the story.

Detailed Solution:

After falling into the sea, the older brother washes up on the shore. He is saved, albeit in a miserable condition, and returns home. From that experience, the older brother realizes the consequences of his greed and becomes kinder and more considerate. Witnessing the older brother's change, the younger brother wholeheartedly helps him. No longer lazy or selfish, the older brother learns to appreciate his younger brother and works diligently. Over time, the older brother's life improves thanks to his hard work and effort.

Before Reading

Question (Page 31 of the 6th Grade Literature Textbook, Volume 2)

Solution Method:

Imagine and share your own feelings.

Detailed Solution:

You are on a remote island far from the mainland. In front of you are deserted, quiet beaches with sparse bushes growing here and there. The feeling is incredibly pristine. The seawater is highly salty, clear, and you can see the sand beneath. In front is the vast ocean, while behind and on both sides are cliff-like walls. To reach the island, you must either cross the mountains or go through a tunnel. On this island, humans will build "aquariums" where they can directly observe schools of dolphins, lobsters, sea turtles, squids, and sharks swimming among colorful coral reefs.

Part II

Reading the Text

Question 1 (Page 32 of the 6th Grade Literature Textbook, Volume 2)

Solution Method:

Carefully read the first part of the text.

Detailed Solution:

• Time: Once upon a time.
• Place: In a certain house.

=> The time and place are unspecified, which is a common motif in folk fairy tales.

Question 2 (Page 32 of the 6th Grade Literature Textbook, Volume 2)

Solution Method:

Read the details carefully about how the couple treats the bird and make a prediction.

Detailed Solution:

The kind couple feeds the bird every day. I predict that the bird will repay their kindness.

Question 3 (Page 32 of the 6th Grade Literature Textbook, Volume 2)

Solution Method:

Use your imagination and express your thoughts.

Detailed Solution:

A large cave filled with precious items such as gold, diamonds, glass, and amber would sparkle beautifully, illuminating the entire sky.

Question 4 (Page 34 of the 6th Grade Literature Textbook, Volume 2)

Solution Method:

Remember how the bird requested a bag made from how many spans of cloth.

Detailed Solution:

The bag from the brother's wife will cause a disaster because it's too large, exceeding the weight the bird can carry.

Part III

After Reading

Question 1 (Page 35 of the 6th Grade Literature Textbook, Volume 2)

Solution Method:

Recall the content and choose the detail you like best, explaining why.

Detailed Solution:

- The story of the starfruit tree is about the kind younger brother who has a starfruit tree that a bird eats, repaying the kindness by giving gold, while the greedy older brother exchanges his wealth for the younger brother's starfruit tree, only to die because he took too much gold.

- I like the detail where the bird responds to the younger brother because it shows the bird's gratitude, and it also adds a magical touch.

Question 2 (Page 35 of the 6th Grade Literature Textbook, Volume 2)

Solution Method:

Recall the content, filter the main events, and summarize the story.

Detailed Solution:

Once upon a time, there were two siblings who lost their parents early and inherited a large fortune. The greedy older brother took it all, leaving the younger brother with only a small piece of land with a starfruit tree. The younger brother worked hard and cared for the tree, which produced a lot of fruit. One day, a strange bird came to eat the starfruit. The younger brother cried, and the eagle told him to make a bag of three spans to repay the favor. The bird took the younger brother to an island to get gold, making him the richest person in the area. The older brother heard the news, came to ask, and exchanged all his wealth for the younger brother's starfruit tree. When the bird returned during the fruit harvest, the older brother's greed led him to make a much larger bag. The bag was too heavy for the bird to carry, and the older brother fell into the sea and drowned.

Question 3 (Page 35 of the 6th Grade Literature Textbook, Volume 2)

Solution Method:

Read the text again and extract the words that indicate time and space.

Detailed Solution:

Time words in the starfruit tree story: Once upon a time, in a certain house, deep cave.

Question 4 (Page 35 of the 6th Grade Literature Textbook, Volume 2)

Solution Method:

Think about the characteristics of the bird and answer.

Detailed Solution:

- The bird that takes the two brothers to the island is a magical creature.

- The bird eats the starfruit, can speak, repays humans, and knows how to carry them to get gold.

- The folk author uses a magical bird to show how good deeds are repaid.

Question 5 (Page 35 of the 6th Grade Literature Textbook, Volume 2)

Solution Method:

Read the text again and find details or sayings similar to folk songs, proverbs, or rhymes that are easy to remember.

Detailed Solution:

In folk tales, the author often includes sentences resembling folk songs or proverbs. In this story, there is such a sentence: "Eat one fruit, get one lump of gold, make a three-span bag, and take it to hold." This is a saying of the magical bird.

Question 6 (Page 35 of the 6th Grade Literature Textbook, Volume 2)

Solution Method:

Pay attention to the passage about the distant island, and list the strange details found on the island.

Detailed Solution:

- The distant island is filled with a lot of gold.

- The imagined detail of the phoenix bird eating the starfruit and repaying with gold is a remarkable feature of the story.

Question 7 (Page 35 of the 6th Grade Literature Textbook, Volume 2)

Solution Method:

Follow the text and list the contrasts between the two characters' actions.

Detailed Solution:

In the story, the older brother and younger brother are always in contrast in their actions:

- The older brother:

• Selfish and stingy.
• Greedy when making a 12-span bag to go with the bird to get gold.

=> The older brother's death is a warning to those who are greedy, wanting to take without working or being compassionate.

- The younger brother:

• Kind-hearted, good-natured, and gave up his house and land to his brother.
• When the bird eats the starfruit, the younger brother lets the bird eat without chasing it away.
• Out of kindness and honesty, the younger brother shares his story with others, especially with his older brother.
• When the older brother's greed leads him to trade all his wealth for the starfruit tree, the younger brother is still willing to share.

=> The younger brother and his wife live happily, with their hard work rewarded, demonstrating the moral that "good deeds are rewarded."

Question 8 (Page 35 of the 6th Grade Literature Textbook, Volume 2)

Solution Method:

From the story's conclusion, describe the moral lesson the author wants to convey.

Detailed Solution:

- From the different outcomes of the older brother and younger brother, the folk author wants to convey the lesson of gratitude, faith in good deeds, and that good things will come to those who are kind.

- The story of the starfruit and the bird also teaches young children important life virtues for the future.

WRITE A NEW ENDING BASED ON THE TEXT

Imagine a different ending for the story of the Starfruit Tree. Write a paragraph (about 5-7 sentences) describing this new ending.

Solution Method:

Write a paragraph following the required format and imagine an alternative ending to the story.

Detailed Solution:

After falling into the sea, the older brother is washed ashore, barely alive, and rescued. He returns home in a pitiful state. From then on, he realizes the consequences of his greed and lives more decently and kindly. Seeing his brother change, the younger brother wholeheartedly helps him. No longer lazy and selfish, the older brother values and appreciates his younger brother. The older brother's life gradually improves due to his own diligent work.

Before Reading

1 (page 31, Grade 6 Literature Book 2):

You find yourself on a remote island far from the mainland. Right before you are barren sandy beaches with large, silent stones. The island seems empty, with only the vast ocean ahead and mountains forming a natural wall behind. An extraordinary feature of this island is that people can dive below the ground, where they can build "aquariums" to observe dolphins, lobsters, sea turtles, squids, and sharks swimming around vibrant coral reefs.

Read the Text

Follow Along (page 32, Grade 6 Literature Book 2):

• Time: Once upon a time
• Location: In a certain house

Prediction (page 32, Grade 6 Literature Book 2):

The bird comes to repay the favor.

Imagination (page 33, Grade 6 Literature Book 2):

A bright, sparkling light emitted from the group, making anyone who looked at it squint.

Prediction (page 33, Grade 6 Literature Book 2):

Due to the weight of the bag, the bird could not fly back home.

After Reading

Answer the Questions:

Question 1, page 35, Grade 6 Literature Book 2:

• The story of the starfruit tree talks about a bird eating starfruit and repaying with gold.
• The detail I like the most is: "Eat one fruit, repay with a lump of gold, sew a bag to carry it" – the bird’s gratitude to the person.

Question 2, page 35, Grade 6 Literature Book 2:

A family where the parents died young, leaving a fortune. The greedy brother and his wife took everything, leaving only a small garden with a starfruit tree for the younger brother. When the starfruit ripened, a strange bird came to eat. The younger brother, in sorrow, was told by an eagle to sew a three-handbag for the bird to repay him. The bird took him to an island to get gold, and he became the richest person in the area. The older brother, in his greed, sewed a larger bag to collect more gold. However, on the journey back, the bag became so heavy that he fell into the sea and died.

Question 3, page 35, Grade 6 Literature Book 2:

Once upon a time, in a certain house...

Question 4, page 35, Grade 6 Literature Book 2:

The bird is a magical creature because it has special abilities such as speaking human language; possessing magical items (wish gems, gold, silver, etc.) or powers (knowing the hiding places of treasures or magical items, etc.).

Question 5, page 35, Grade 6 Literature Book 2:

The bird said: Eat one fruit, repay with a lump of gold, sew a three-handbag to carry it.

Question 6, page 35, Grade 6 Literature Book 2:

The island is far away with extraordinary features: the bird flies endlessly, passing through fields, forests, and oceans, until it reaches the middle of the sea... → The younger brother's life has become much wealthier.

Question 7, page 35, Grade 6 Literature Book 2:

The older brother

• Takes all the land
• Tricks the younger brother into trading the sweet starfruit tree for gold.
• Greedily takes much more.

=> Represents the image of greedy, selfish people.

The younger brother

• Is content with his fate and asks for nothing
• Is rewarded by the magical bird with gold and lives a prosperous life.
• Takes only what is necessary.

=> Represents the image of good-hearted, honest, and virtuous people.

Question 8, page 35, Grade 6 Literature Book 2:

The lesson is about gratitude, believing that kindness will be repaid with good fortune for everyone.

Write a connection to reading:

Task (page 35, Grade 6 Literature Book 2):

At that moment, realizing the danger, the bird said: "Quickly throw the gold away, and we may be able to return home." The older brother, unwilling, but thinking of his life, threw the bag of gold into the sea. Immediately, the bird regained its balance and flew straight back to land. The trip brought no treasure, and the older brother ended up living in a poor hut.

Before Reading

Many of you may have dreamed of visiting a far-off, uncharted island, a place full of mysteries and wonders. Imagine you are in that situation. You could share with your friends the amazing things you've witnessed there.

Solution Guide:
Imagine you are on a remote island far from the mainland. In front of you lies a quiet, desolate stretch of sand, with only sparse bushes growing. The feeling is one of pristine wilderness. The water is salty and crystal clear, allowing you to see the sand beneath. Ahead, the vast ocean stretches endlessly, while behind and to the sides, towering cliffs form walls of stone. To reach the island, one must either cross the mountains or navigate through a tunnel. Here, humans could build "aquariums" to observe dolphins, lobsters, sea turtles, squids, and sharks swimming around colorful coral reefs.

After Reading

1. What is the story of the "Fruit Tree" about? What detail in the story do you like the most?

2. Summarize the story of the "Fruit Tree".

3. Fairy tales often begin with familiar phrases that reference a time in the past and an undefined space. Find these phrases in the story of the "Fruit Tree".

4. Is the bird that took the siblings to the deserted island a magical creature? Why?

5. In folk tales, the storyteller often weaves in phrases that resemble proverbs or popular sayings, easy to remember and recite. Is there a similar phrase in the "Fruit Tree" story? Who said it?

6. What is special about the distant island where the bird took the younger sibling? How did this miracle impact the sibling's life afterwards?

7. In the story, the two characters, the older and younger siblings, are always contrasted in their actions. Point out the differences between them and give your opinion on their respective traits.

8. From the different outcomes for the older and younger siblings, what lesson does the folk tale convey?

Solution Guide:
1. The "Fruit Tree" is a beloved Vietnamese folk tale, offering valuable life lessons. Through its magical elements, the story imparts a gentle moral about love for family, kindness, and honesty.

The detail I find most appealing is when the bird arrives to eat the fruit and says, "Eat one fruit, get a lump of gold, sew a three-handbag to carry it." The younger sibling, in their innocence, thinks the bird is merely interested in the fruit, never suspecting the bird will keep its promise. To their surprise, the bird returns and takes the younger sibling to the island of gold, fulfilling its promise. This act of keeping a promise and showing gratitude is something we should all admire.

2. Summarize the "Fruit Tree" story: There was a family with two siblings whose parents passed away, leaving them an inheritance. The older sibling greedily took everything, leaving only a small garden with a fruit tree for the younger sibling. The younger sibling worked hard and cared for the tree. When the fruit ripened, a strange bird came to eat the fruit. The younger sibling cried, and the bird instructed them to sew a three-handbag to carry gold as thanks. The bird took the younger sibling to the island and they became the wealthiest person in the area.

The older sibling, hearing about this, came to exchange all their wealth for the fruit tree. When the bird returned, it also promised to repay them. Driven by greed, the older sibling sewed a large bag to hold as much gold as possible. But when the bag became too heavy, they fell into the sea and perished.

3. Fairy tales often start with familiar phrases that point to a time long ago and an undefined space. In the "Fruit Tree" story, the phrase is: "Once upon a time".

4. The bird that took the siblings to the deserted island is indeed a magical creature. The divine bird says, "Eat one fruit, return a lump of gold, sew a three-handbag to carry it." Although the bird's words seem casual, the younger sibling believes them to be true and prepares the three-handbag as instructed. The bird returns, taking the sibling to an island full of gold. The folk tale uses this magical event to highlight the rewards for good deeds and kindness.

5. In the tale, the storyteller incorporates a phrase similar to a proverb: "Eat one fruit, return a lump of gold, sew a three-handbag to carry it." This phrase is spoken by the divine bird.

6. The distant island where the bird took the younger sibling was full of gold. This miraculous place allowed the younger sibling to live comfortably with their spouse, owning fields and homes. The magical bird's actions of returning gold for the fruit added an intriguing twist to the story, emphasizing that good things come to those who are kind and hardworking. It also illustrates the deep moral that kindness will be rewarded in the end.

7. In the story, the older and younger siblings are portrayed as opposites in their actions. The older sibling represents greed and selfishness, while the younger sibling embodies kindness, sincerity, and a hardworking nature.

• The older sibling: In the tale, the older sibling is a typical example of a greedy and selfish person. When their parents passed away, they took all the land and left only a small hut and a fruit tree for the younger sibling. They continued to grow wealth by exploiting others. The older sibling's greed becomes apparent when they seek to exchange all their wealth for the fruit tree. Their hurried, greedy behavior leads to their downfall when they perish in the sea.
• The younger sibling: The younger sibling, on the other hand, represents the good-hearted, honest, and diligent individual. After their parents' death, the younger sibling was left with only a small hut and the fruit tree. They worked hard to care for the tree, and when the bird came, they were rewarded with gold. The younger sibling shares the wealth with others, including their older sibling. Their good nature eventually brings them a prosperous life.

8. From the contrasting outcomes of the older and younger siblings, the folk tale imparts a lesson about gratitude, the belief that goodness will be rewarded, and the importance of hard work and kindness. The tale also encourages children to develop virtuous qualities that will serve them well in life.

Connecting to the reading

Imagine an alternative ending to the "Fruit Tree" story. Write a paragraph (5-7 sentences) describing that ending.

Solution Guide:
One day, the older sibling overhears the townspeople gossiping about the younger sibling's sudden wealth. After learning the full story, the older sibling decides to trade all their belongings for the fruit tree. They care for the tree as the younger sibling did, and when the birds return to eat the fruit, the older sibling pretends to cry. The leader of the birds offers the same deal, but the older sibling, driven by greed, sews a much larger bag to hold more gold. When the birds reach the island, the older sibling stuffs the bag full, but on the return journey, the weight proves too much for the birds, and they fall into the sea, perishing.

When the older sibling wakes, they find themselves stranded on an island, likely washed ashore by the waves. Reflecting on their actions, they realize the folly of their greed, and from that day on, they live alone on the island for the rest of their life.

1. Before Reading

Many of you must have dreamed of visiting a remote, undiscovered island, a place that’s full of exciting secrets waiting to be revealed.

Imagine yourself in this situation. You would be able to share with others the amazing things you witness on this island.

Suggestion:

I am on an island far from the mainland. The island is probably vast, and the deeper I go, the more fascinating things I discover. Strange, unknown plants that I’ve never seen before, and small, adorable creatures...

2. Read the Text

Question 1. When and where does the story take place?

Time: Once upon a time
Location: In a certain house
=> The time and space are vague and undefined.

Question 2. What happens next?

The bird eats too many of the ripe starfruit. The wife waits for the bird to finish and then begs it to stop eating the starfruit.

Question 3. What does a large cave filled with gold, diamonds, glass, and amber look like?

Imagine: A vast cave, sparkling with the light of gold, diamonds...

Question 4. What will happen because of the brother’s bag?

The bag the brother’s wife makes is far too large for the bird’s needs, and so, the brother brings back too many diamonds and gold, causing the bird to fall into the sea.

3. After Reading

Question 1. What is the story of the starfruit tree about? Which detail from the story do you like the most?

The story of the starfruit tree is about the divine bird repaying a favor by giving gold for the starfruit eaten by the younger brother’s family, and the greedy older brother facing the consequences of his actions.
The detail I liked best: The greedy older brother takes so much gold and silver that he ends up falling into the sea.

Question 2. Summarize the story of the Starfruit Tree.

Once upon a time, there were two brothers who lost their parents early. They worked hard and managed to live comfortably. But after the older brother married, he became lazy. The younger brother and his wife worked diligently. Fearing that his younger brother might outshine him, the older brother decided to send him away to live separately. The older brother gave him a rundown house, with a sweet starfruit tree growing in front. The younger brother and his wife took good care of the tree, which bore many fruits. One day, a mysterious bird came to eat the ripe starfruit every day for a month. The wife waited for the bird to finish and asked it to stop. The bird responded, "For each fruit you eat, I will give you a piece of gold and a bag of three spans to carry it." The younger brother and his wife followed the bird’s instructions, and the bird took them to an island where they collected gold and returned home, becoming wealthy. The older brother, hearing about this, rushed to ask what happened. After hearing the story, the older brother offered to exchange all his wealth for the hut and starfruit tree. The bird came again during the next starfruit season and repeated its previous response. The older brother and his wife, being greedy, made a bag three times larger than the one the younger brother had made. When they arrived, the older brother tried to gather as much gold and diamonds as possible. But the bag became too heavy, and the bird, encountering a strong wind, fell into the sea, carrying the older brother, who was weighed down with jewels, with it. The bird then flew back to the mountains.

Question 3. Fairy tales often begin with familiar words that indicate a past time and an unspecified space. Can you find such expressions in the story of the starfruit tree?

Time expression: Once upon a time.
Space expression: In a certain house.

Question 4. Is the bird that takes the two brothers to the deserted island a magical creature? Why?

The bird is a magical creature.
Reason: The bird has extraordinary qualities, such as speaking human language and having a large, impressive form.

Question 5. In the narrative of this fairy tale, the author often incorporates lines that resemble folk poetry or proverbs, easy-to-remember sayings. Is there a similar saying in this story? Who says it?

The line: "For each fruit you eat, I will give you a piece of gold and a bag of three spans to carry it."
The character who says this: The divine bird.

Question 6. What magical feature does the distant island that the bird takes the younger brother to have? How did this miracle change the younger brother’s life?

Magical feature: The island is made entirely of white, green, red, and multi-colored stones. The bird circles the island before landing at a cave. The entrance to the cave is filled with stones resembling glass and amber in various colors.
This magical feature helped the younger brother’s life become prosperous and joyful.

Question 7. In the story, the two brothers are portrayed as opposites in their actions. What are the contrasts between them, and what do these differences reveal about each character?

The Younger Brother - The Older Brother

Works hard, staying up late and waking up early. - Lazy, passing on all the hard work to the younger brother.

Follows the bird’s instructions, making a bag just the right size. - Fears the bird won’t approve, so makes a bag three times bigger.

Sees the deep, vast cave but only takes a little gold and diamonds from the outside, signaling the bird to return. - Tries to fill the bag to the brim, stuffing his sleeves and pants with gold and diamonds, taking a long time to leave the cave.

=> The younger brother is kind and diligent, while the older brother is lazy and greedy.

Question 8. What lesson does the author want to convey through the contrasting outcomes of the two brothers in the story?

The author wants to convey the lesson:
Hard work brings good results.
Those who are kind-hearted and generous will be rewarded.
Those who are greedy and lazy will face consequences.

4. Write a new ending to the story of the Starfruit Tree.

The older brother is swept away by the waves. When he regains consciousness, he finds himself on a deserted island. His bag full of gold and jewels has been carried off by the sea. He cries out in desperation, but no one answers. With no other choice, he ventures into the forest. After wandering for days, he survives by eating wild fruits and drinking from a stream. He regrets his greed, but it is too late.

Before Reading

1 (page 31 of Literature Book 6, Volume 2):

You are on a remote island far from the mainland. In front of you lies a barren beach, dotted with large silent stones. The island appears to have nothing, except for a vast ocean ahead and towering mountains behind. The intriguing part is that humans can venture beneath the surface of the earth. There, they will create "aquariums" to observe dolphins, lobsters, sea turtles, squid, and sharks swimming among vibrant coral reefs.

Read the Text

Follow-Up (page 32 of Literature Book 6, Volume 2):

• Time: Once upon a time
• Place: In a certain house

Prediction (page 32 of Literature Book 6, Volume 2):

The bird will return the favor.

Imagination (page 33 of Literature Book 6, Volume 2):

A brilliant, dazzling light enveloped the place, causing everyone to squint in its brilliance.

Prediction (page 33 of Literature Book 6, Volume 2):

Due to the heavy load, the bird could not return home.

After Reading

Answer the Questions:

Question 1, page 35 of Literature Book 6, Volume 2:

• The story of the sapodilla tree involves a bird eating the fruit and returning a favor with gold.
• My favorite part is: "Eat one fruit, return a lump of gold, and sew a bag to carry it" – the bird’s repayment to the protagonist.

Question 2, page 35 of Literature Book 6, Volume 2:

A family had lost their parents early, leaving behind a great fortune. The greedy elder brother took everything, leaving the younger brother with just a small plot of land and a sapodilla tree. During the fruiting season, a mysterious bird arrived to eat the sapodilla. The younger brother, lamenting his misfortune, was instructed by an eagle to sew a bag to carry the bird’s repayment of gold. The younger brother became wealthy after retrieving gold from an island. The elder brother, in his greed, sought to collect even more gold, only to be doomed by the weight of his greed.

Question 3, page 35 of Literature Book 6, Volume 2:

Once upon a time, in a certain house...

Question 4, page 35 of Literature Book 6, Volume 2:

The bird is a mystical creature, characterized by extraordinary abilities: it speaks human language and possesses magical items (such as a wish-granting gem, gold, silver, etc.) or powers (knowledge of hidden treasures or supernatural abilities).

Question 5, page 35 of Literature Book 6, Volume 2:

The bird said: "Eat one fruit, return a lump of gold, sew a bag to carry it."

Question 6, page 35 of Literature Book 6, Volume 2:

The faraway island held a mysterious secret: the bird flew on endlessly, passing through numerous regions, over fields and forests, across oceans, until reaching the center of the sea… → The younger brother’s life became more prosperous.

Question 7, page 35 of Literature Book 6, Volume 2:

The elder brother

• Seized all the farmland
• Tricked the younger brother into exchanging the sweet sapodilla tree for gold.
• Greedily took much more than needed.

=> A symbol of those who are greedy and selfish.

The younger brother

• Was humble and did not ask for more
• Received the bird’s repayment of gold and lived comfortably.
• Took just enough to live well.

=> A symbol of those who are kind-hearted, honest, and virtuous.

Question 8, page 35 of Literature Book 6, Volume 2:

The moral of the story is about repaying kindness, the belief that good deeds lead to good fortune, and that virtue will always be rewarded.

Connecting to the Reading:

Writing Prompt (page 35 of Literature Book 6, Volume 2):

At that moment, realizing the danger, the bird warned: "You must throw away all the gold if we are to return home." The elder brother, reluctant but understanding the peril, released the heavy bag of gold. The bird regained its balance and flew back to the mainland. The elder brother’s journey ended with nothing, and he lived out his days in a poor hut.

* Before Reading

Question from page 31 of the 6th-grade Vietnamese Literature textbook, Volume 2

There might be caves on that deserted island full of glittering treasures like gold, silver, and precious stones…

* During Reading

Suggested answers to the questions from the reading passage:

1. Observation: What is special about the time and place where the story takes place?

• Time: Once upon a time.
• Place: A certain house.

2. Prediction: What will happen next?

The bird will repay the couple by bringing them gold because they fed it sweet fruit.

3. Imagination: What would a large cave filled with gold, diamonds, and amber look like?

A large cave filled with gold, diamonds, amber, and other precious stones would shimmer with colors and radiance.

4. Prediction: What consequences might the bag belonging to the older couple cause?

The bag is too large, so when it's filled with gold and diamonds, the bird will have difficulty flying, which could lead to a bad outcome.

* After Reading

Main content:

The story is about two brothers. After their parents passed away and left behind an inheritance, the younger brother received only a sweet fruit tree and a small hut. Later, the bird that fed on the fruit repaid the younger brother with gold. The older brother, envious, sought out the bird to get gold in return as well. However, his greed led to his downfall, and he fell into the sea, while the younger brother prospered. This is a tale about gratitude, the belief that good deeds are rewarded, and the well-being of the virtuous.

Suggested answers to the questions after reading:

Question 1 (page 35 of the 6th-grade Vietnamese Literature textbook, Volume 2)

• The story "The Sweet Fruit Tree" is about the good-hearted younger brother being properly rewarded and the greedy older brother facing tragic consequences after both received gold from the bird. It teaches a lesson about the importance of gratitude, kindness, and trust in goodness bringing rewards, which is a belief shared by the people.
• The part I like the most is when the bird takes the younger brother to a deserted island filled with precious stones, gold, and diamonds in all colors.

Question 2 (page 35 of the 6th-grade Vietnamese Literature textbook, Volume 2)

Summary of the story "The Sweet Fruit Tree":

Once upon a time, there were two brothers. When their parents passed away, they left behind a large fortune. The older brother and his wife selfishly took all of it, leaving the younger brother with only a run-down house and a sweet fruit tree in front. The younger brother and his wife worked hard and took good care of the tree. As the tree bore a lot of fruit, one day, a strange bird came to eat it. The younger brother complained, and the bird instructed him to make a bag for the bird to repay him. The next day, the bird took the younger brother to an island where gold was hidden, and they returned. From then on, the younger brother became rich. The older brother, hearing about this, went to ask for help and traded his entire fortune to exchange for the old hut and the tree. When the tree bore fruit again, the bird came and offered to repay him. The older brother, driven by greed, made a much larger bag to collect more gold. However, the bag became too heavy, and while returning with the gold, the older brother fell into the sea and drowned.

Question 3 (page 35 of the 6th-grade Vietnamese Literature textbook, Volume 2)

- Words describing the space and time in the fairy tale "The Sweet Fruit Tree":

• Time: Once upon a time.
• Space: At a certain house.

- Meaning: These expressions are used to refer to vague locations and times in order to transport the reader into a fictional world more easily.

Question 4 (page 35 of the 6th-grade Vietnamese Literature textbook, Volume 2)

- The bird that takes the two brothers to the deserted island is a magical creature. It has some extraordinary traits, such as:

• It speaks human language: "Eat one fruit, get a lump of gold; make a bag of three spans to carry it!"
• It has magical powers and knows where treasures like gold, diamonds, and gems are hidden.

Question 5 (page 35 of the 6th-grade Vietnamese Literature textbook, Volume 2)

• The bird's famous line: "Eat one fruit, get a lump of gold; make a bag of three spans to carry it!" is catchy and easy to remember.
• Nowadays, the expression "eat a fruit, get a lump of gold" or "eat fruit, get gold" is commonly used to refer to a job that is well-rewarded and results in great outcomes.

Question 6 (page 35 of the 6th-grade Vietnamese Literature textbook, Volume 2)

• The magical aspect of the distant island: The island was full of white, green, red, and multicolored stones, all clear like glass and amber, with a deep and wide cave that had a wealth of gold and diamonds outside its entrance.
• This magical treasure helped the younger brother and his wife become wealthy.

Question 7 (page 35 of the 6th-grade Vietnamese Literature textbook, Volume 2)

The older brother

• Lazily avoided hard work, leaving all difficult tasks for his younger brother and his wife.
• He took all the wealth and left only a poor house and a sweet fruit tree for the younger brother.
• When the bird came, he hurried to complain.
• He shouted: "My whole family depends on the fruit tree; if the bird eats all the fruit, how will we survive?"
• He panicked and decided to make a bag, initially planning to make many bags, but fearing the bird might not like them, he ended up making one bag three times the size of his younger brother's bag.
• The husband immediately climbed onto the bird's back, while the wife offered prayers to the bird.
• He became dizzy with the precious treasures, entering the cave and forgetting hunger and thirst, focusing only on collecting gold and diamonds to fill his sleeves and pants. He struggled to exit the cave and fastened the treasures tightly to the bird's back.

The younger brother

• Worked diligently, waking early and staying up late.
• Never complained.
• Only picked fruit after the bird had finished eating.
• The wife said: "Oh, bird, you're eating all our fruits! Soon, there won't be any left!"
• Following the bird's advice, she made a bag just the right size for three spans.
• She climbed onto the bird's back.
• When they reached the cave, she hesitated, afraid to enter, and only gathered a little gold and diamonds from outside before signaling for the bird to fly back.

Outcome

Due to the heavy load and a strong gust of wind, both the bird and the older brother fell into the sea. The older brother was swept away by the waves and drowned.

The bird took the younger brother back home, where the couple became wealthy.

Question 8. (page 35 of the 6th-grade Vietnamese Literature textbook, Volume 2)

From the different outcomes for the older and younger brothers, the folk author wants to convey the following lessons:

• One must always work hard and diligently to achieve good results.
• Kindness and goodness will be properly rewarded.
• Greed leads to disastrous consequences.
• We should help others who are in greater need than ourselves.

* Writing Connection with Reading

Homework (page 35 of the 6th-grade Vietnamese Literature textbook, Volume 2)

Imagine an alternative ending for the story "The Sweet Fruit Tree". Write a paragraph (around 5-7 sentences) telling this new ending.

Sample paragraph:

After falling into the sea, the older brother washed ashore. He was rescued by villagers who brought him back home in a pitiful state. The older brother realized the consequences of his greed and began to live a more honest and kind life. Seeing that his brother had awakened, the younger brother helped him recover, and together they shared the land, worked hard, and cared for one another. Over time, both brothers became prosperous. They agreed to save part of their rice and grain to help the poor. Word of their good deeds spread, and everyone loved the two brothers.