Martha the Mole has everything—tunnels overflowing with radishes, carrots, potatoes, and ginger, plus a stash of shiny pebbles she never lets anyone touch. While the other animals on Jolly Rooster Farm share their food, toys, and laughter, Martha chooses to stay underground, afraid that giving even a little means having less for herself. When she’s invited to Donkey Dave’s birthday party and asked to bring a small present, Martha has a big decision to make: hold on tightly to her things, or join in the fun she secretly longs for.
Questions and activities
We learn through play. Any answer is okay.
Answer the questions:
- Why didn’t Martha want to play with the others?
- How did Donkey Dave feel when Martha didn’t help him?
- When did Martha feel better — when she was alone, or when she was playing with others? Why?
Imagine:
- If another animal appeared in the story, what would it be and what would it do?
- If Jolly the Rooster hadn’t given Martha advice, how would the story have ended?
- If Donkey Dave hadn’t caught a cold, what would have happened next?
Do you know:
- Where was Jolly the Rooster before he came to visit Martha?
- What else could Donkey Dave have eaten to feel better?
Guess who said this:
- “I’m a small root, I’m healthy, but Martha didn’t give me to the donkey.”
- “I live in the dark, I don’t see well, and I was a little selfish.”
- “I had a cold, I have long ears, and I love to bray.”
Guess:
- Who lives in a barn? Cow, pig, or dog?
- Who lives in a chicken coop? Dog, mole, or hen?
- Who lives in a pigsty? Cow, chick, mare, or pig?
Help the animals get fed:
The animals are hungry. What could each of these animals eat from the table? Here are the things we have on the table: milk, bone, hay, carrot, corn, apple, grass.
What would they eat?
- cow
- hen
- dog
- bunny
- cat
- goose
- duck
- goat
- sheep
- horse
- mole
- hedgehog
- donkey