The Rooster Prince of Breslov by Ann Redisch Stampler Story Map – Debbie Bennett – LS5633 – A.3.4

The Rooster Prince of Breslov IntroductionBeginning Middle EndCharacters Problem and Solution Click on one of the boxes above to see my brainstorming notes

Introduction Story from Jewish culture, which is the culture of my mom’s side of the family Story has been told for over 200 years Jewish stories frequently show how the people of the Jewish culture value clever thinking and kindness Silly story about a wise teacher who finds a way to get down to his student’s level to reach that student and, in doing so, teaches the student what really makes us human Click here to return to the homepage Next

Beginning Young prince always had more than he wanted – If he asked for a scrap of bread, he was given a slice of cake dripping with honey – If his eyes rested on a pony or a strudel or a bird’s nest or a golden ball, it was bundled up and handed to him before he could even blink One day the prince yelled, “Enough!” and ripped off his clothes – He then began clucking, scratching at the floor with his toes, pecking the floor, and, worst of all, he crowed – “Cock-a-doodle-doo!” After a week of this, the king and queen offered a bag of gold for a cure – A doctor and a team of magicians came to help but failed Click here to return to the homepage Next

Middle (1 of 4) An old man said that if he was given 7 days and if the king and queen did exactly as he said, he would give them back a prince ready to rule the land When the old man entered, he copied the prince’s actions, ripping off his clothes, pecking at the ground, and crowing – The shocked prince stopped and asked him what he was doing and if he knew who he was – The old man said he was a hungry rooster, and the prince was a rooster, just like him – At night, the old man slept on the cold floor like the prince Click here to return to the homepage Next

Middle (2 of 4) The second day was the same – At night, the old man asked what those 2 new things were (mattresses he had told the king and queen to place in the room) – The prince said they were beds for humans to be comfortable – The old man asked why humans should be the only ones who get comfort – The prince said maybe a nice old rooster could sleep on it – The old man did, and in the morning (third day), the prince was sleeping on the other bed and the aroma of fresh bread filled the room The old man asked what the smell was, and the prince said it was food for humans – The old man again asked why humans get everything good, and the prince said he should have some – Soon both were eating Click here to return to the homepage Next

Middle (3 of 4) On the fourth day, bread was sitting on a table when they woke up – The old man asked what it was, and the prince said it was a tool for humans to sit comfortably – The old man again asked why humans get everything good, and the prince said he should try it– Soon both were sitting and eating at the table That night the windows were left open – The old man complained he was cold – In the morning (day 5), the prince found a blanket in the room and quickly wrapped it around the old man and himself – He explained it was a blanket to keep warm – The old man again grumbled about humans, and the two sat in their chairs covered with the blanket all day Click here to return to the homepage Next

Middle (4 of 4) The sixth day was even colder – The old man asked what humans do to keep warm, and the prince said they wear clothes – He then asked why an old rooster should have to shiver all day long – Old man and prince happily put on their old clothes Click here to return to the homepage Next

End (1 of 2) On the seventh day, the two used all the comforts they had discovered previously – That night a braided challah, a pot of stew, a small jug of wine, candlesticks, and a silver cup were brought in an put on the table – The old man asked what it was, and the prince told him it was a Sabbath feast – The old man asked why humans should get to light the beautiful candles, and then the two of them lit the candles, said a blessing, ate the challah, and drank the wine Click here to return to the homepage Next

End (2 of 2) The old man told the prince he had to leave to go back to his home – He asked how the prince would do in a place where roosters had no comfort, warmth, clothing, or Sabbath feast – The old man told him he did look a lot like a person (the prince, to be exact) The prince insisted he was a rooster and said that just because he slept on a mattress, ate at a table, and put on clothes did not make him a man The old man said he was right – It was the way he treated an old rooster that made him a man – It was his kindness and the way he shared what he had that made him a man The prince grew up to be a fine king and sometimes even forgot that he once had been a rooster Click here to return to the homepage Next

Characters Prince – Fed up with his excessive lifestyle – Stubborn – Capable of great kindness and compassion King and Queen – Desperate for answers – Willing to pay a bag of gold to anyone who can cure their son’s strange condition – Willing to go along with the old man’s plan even though it seems strange and unconventional Old Man – Wise – Willing to go down to even the lowest level to help the prince – Helps the prince by allowing him opportunities to show kindness Click here to return to the homepage Next

Problem and Solution The prince is tired of his overindulgent lifestyle, so he decides to protest by throwing off all of his clothes and pretending he is a rooster A wise old man goes down to the prince’s level and pretends he, too, is a rooster – The old man brings in one human comfort after another, and then he asks why humans, and not roosters, should get to be so comfortable – Each time the prince suggests the old man/rooster should use the comforts, he eventually follows the old man’s lead until he is finally dressed and “human” again The prince learns that it is his kindness and goodness that make him a man Click here to return to the homepage