The Ring of Small Fires: discussion sheet

Part Three: The Relationship · about 4 minutes to read aloud · Theme: keeping one another warm

A machine keeps one great fire burning on a snowy mountain pass, and the wind keeps putting it out. Then a child remembers how her grandmother banks the coals.

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

Start here

Why does the one great fire keep going out, and why do the small fires not?

Go further

The keeper never again lets the ring wear down to one. Who keeps you warm when the wind is up, and who do you keep warm? The fires are only in the story, so answer with people.

Make something

Draw the keeper’s ring of stone hearths on paper. Add arrows for the wind and shade the sheltered places. If one flame goes out, which neighbours could help it catch again?

Read The Ring of Small Fires online: youngmachines.org/read/fables/the-ring-of-small-fires/