The Boy and the Whale

Name: The Boy and the Whale
Author: Mordicai Gerstein

A story that explores courage and opens a conversation with your child.

★★★★★ Loved by families

Read the Guiding Questions Find this book →

♥ This book teaches: Courage. doing what is right even when it is hard.

Before, During & After Reading

Guiding Questions for Parents.

Definition: Courage is being willing to face something hard or scary, like trying to do something you’ve never done before. In short: Do good, try hard even when it’s scary. Summary: A fisherman’s son tells the story of what happens when he and his father find a whale trapped in their fishing net. His father is upset that the whale broke his net, while the son is concerned for the helpless whale. Against his father’s wishes, the boy risks his life to free the trapped creature. Lesson Objectives:

Students discuss the boy’s courageous effort to save the whale. They talk about what the boy could have done differently instead of disobeying his father and risking his life. They are more able to assess how to stay safe while acting with courage.

Guiding Questions:

What is the story “The Boy and the Whale” about?
Why was the father upset when they found the whale?
How did the boy realize that the whale was alive and not dead?
Why did the father tell his son not to try to save the whale?
What could have happened to the boy as he tried to rescue the whale?
Do you think the boy should have disobeyed his father? Why or why not?
The boy could have tried to save the whale without risking his life. What do you think he could have done differently?
If you see someone or an animal in danger, but it would be unsafe to try to help by yourself, what could you do to help and also be safe?
How does it feel when you see someone or an animal who really needs your help but it seems like there is nothing you can do?
Have you ever seen a whale? If so, describe what you saw.

🌿 Virtue Connection: Courage means acting on what is right even in the presence of fear.

About the Story.

This guide is part of the Values & Virtues library, a free collection of 400+ book guides and activities organized around 12 core virtues for children from pre-K to 6th grade. Each guide includes Guiding Questions designed to open a real conversation with your child in 10 minutes or less.