Children Literature Assesment Report

Running Head: CHILDREN LITERATURE
CHILDREN LITERATURE
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note:

1CHILDREN LITERATURE
The motto of child literature should be ‘teach and delight’
Panchatantra is one of the influential contribution of Indian literature towards the
Universal literature. The word ‘Pancha’ means five and ‘tantra’ means chanting some spiritual
words especially during the time of worship. Hence, Panchatantra consists of five books of
magical tales and fables represented through animals. ‘The Wise Old Bird’ is one of the stories
of Panchatantra which teaches the children to listen to the wise person always. At the same time
the story provides a visual delight to the children as it is stated through animals.
The story also provide a lesson of togetherness. The story is stated by a flock of geese
and a wise old goose with them. One day a hunter spread a net on the tamarind tree for the birds.
The hunter climbed the tree through a creeper which the wise goose wanted to destroy earlier. At
the end the wise goose taught the trick to play dead in front of the hunter, so that he assumes the
birds are dead. After the assumption the birds will be thrown away by the hunter and thus they
will escape from the hunter’s trap. Hence, the literature truly contributes to the aim of teaching
and pleasing the children at the same time.
Techniques of the story
Generally the writing technique of Panchatantra is narrative in style. The style of
Panchatantra is describing a story within a story. It means ‘The Wise Old Bird’ describes how
the flock of geese trapped into the hunter’s net. At the end of the story they learn how to escape
from the hunter’s net according to the trick taught by the wise old bird. The important message
of always listening to the elder people is conveyed through the wonderful picturisation of the
flock of birds. The fables of Panchatantra are considered as the stand alone tales by the world
literature.

2CHILDREN LITERATURE
Relevance with other literary works
Apart from Panchatantra, the theme of friendship and togetherness is celebrated in
various literary works including the story of ‘Robin Hood and Little John’ by Barbara Cohen.
This is considered as child ballads by the experts of literature. This child ballad also exhibit the
same narrative style observed in the tales of Panchatantra.
The story of Robin Hood demonstrates the building of gradual friendship between Robin
Hood and little. The initial fight turns into long lasting friendship is a lesson for the children.
They will develop a sense of collaboration or cooperation to live in the society. The transparent
presentation of the important theme is an appropriate creation by Barbara Cohen in the genre of
child literature. Hence, as a common factor the tales from Panchatantra and Robin Hood and
Little John contribute to the goal of ‘teach and delight’. The delightful presentation of little John
as seven feet tall provides the humorous essence. Above all, both the stories celebrate unity,
togetherness, and friendship which is appropriate for the age group.