The Giant’s Chain: discussion sheet

Part Three: The Relationship · about 6 minutes to read aloud · Theme: power and trust

A village chains a sleeping giant to the mountain, for everyone’s good. A girl asks his name, and promises slowly take the chain’s place.

Choose a question to talk over, or try the activity with words and pictures.

Start here

What is the first thing Raluca asks Alder, and why has nobody asked it before?

Go further

The adults admit they chained Alder in his sleep and never asked his name. What did they owe him, and what did Alder owe the village? Could a promise ever turn back into a chain?

Make something

Alder comes back after winter. Write the first four lines of his next meeting with the village. Let each side ask to change one promise, with a reason.

Read The Giant’s Chain online: youngmachines.org/read/fables/the-giant-s-chain/