Story Comprehension Questions: Wolf Purpose Versus Deer Purpose

After reading the Terry Gardner Four Directions tale called “Wolf purpose versus Deer purpose,” involve your students in responding to the following comprehension questions either in oral or written form or both.

Click “Wolf purpose versus Deer purpose” to read a copy of the target story.

Seventeen Story Comprehension Questions

1. How did the first deer manage to escape from a pack of wolves?

Students Respond: The deer ran through some underbrush. When she saw a stream, she went sailing over the stream to the opposite bank. Then she got further away by running down a familiar trail. Three of the wolves got wet. The pack of seven wolves did not try to pursue the deer after that.

2. What happened to the three wet wolves?

Students Respond: The dry wolves huddled together with the wet wolves to help them to stay warm and to get dry.

3. When William Wolf asked Wilma Wolf about wisdom, what were some of the things he learned?

Students Respond:

* Caring for each other is a form of wisdom.

* Being kind, gentle, and giving is part of wisdom.

* Having a sense of humor is part of wisdom.

4. What was Wilma Wolf’s explanation of how the wolves can be kind, gentle, and giving when they hunt other animals for meals?

Students Respond: She explained that part of wisdom is understanding your wolf purpose which is very different than the purpose of deer purpose. For example, part of a wolf’s purpose is eating enough so they can remain alive.

5. What happened when the wolves heard pawing and snorting sounds coming from less than one hundred feet away?

Students Respond: The wolves stalked their prey. They saw a herd of four deer. Three got away. One became their meal.

6. What did the remaining three deer discuss when one of their comrade deer, David Deer, fell prey to the wolves?

Students Respond: Donny Deer revealed that David Deer probably sacrificed himself to the wolves to help the younger deer remain alive. He admitted, prior to his death, that he felt like his time to die was getting near.

7. What was Debbie Deer’s explanation about the ways of deer, wolves, and Master Forest?

Students Respond: Debbie Deer explained that there is a time for everything. There is a time for running, a time for feeding, a time for sleeping, a time for birth, and a time for death.

8. What was Debbie Deer’s explanation when Donny Deer asked if one of deer’s purpose is to always fear wolves?

Students Respond: Debbie Deer explained that part of deer’s purpose is to be careful and watchful about wolves. She acknowledges that “fear comes from worries about being alone, separated from other deer, and not being good enough deer.” So part of deer’s purpose it to stick together and striving to be his or her best. Part of their purpose is to also look out to see if danger is lurking.

9. What kind of games did the wolf pack like to play?

Students Respond: They played wolf tag, wolf hide-and-seek, and wolf catch-a-deer.

10. What did William Wolf learn about the definition of reason?

Students Respond: He learned that reason is the answer to a question about why he thinks, talks, and acts in Master Forest.

11. What three questions guides Wilbert Wolf’s actions and thoughts?

Students Respond: Wilbert Wolf asks himself the following three questions:

(1) Who am I?

(2) Why am I here?

(3) What am I doing about the first two questions?

12. If you asked yourself the same three questions, how would you answer the first question of ‘WHO AM I?’?

Students Respond: (Go around the room and let each student respond to that question.)

13. If you asked yourself the same three questions, how would you answer the second question of ‘WHY AM I HERE?’?

Students Respond: (Go around the room and let each student respond to that question.)

14. If you asked yourself the same three questions, how would you answer the third question of ‘WHAT AM I DOING ABOUT THE FIRST TWO QUESTIONS?’?

Students Respond: (Go around the room and let each student respond to that question.)

15. What are some of the answers Wilbert gives when he responds to those three key questions?

Students Respond:

* Wilbert knows there is ONE source for all life in Master Forest.

* Wilbert feels he is an expression of that ONE.

* He feels his purpose is to live his wolf self with ever-increasing love and care.

* He feels his purpose is also to help take care of the younger wolves.

* He also gives thanks for each deer the wolf pack takes and each meal that he eats.

* He also feels that his wolf spirit brings more joy, fulfillment, bravery, and wholeness to Master Forest.

16. What was Wilbert Wolf’s response when Wilma teased that the deer might not like his purpose about joy and fulfillment when he hunts them?

Students Respond: Wilbert responded, “David Deer decided to let us catch him. I knew him well. He and I played catch for many years.”

17. What did Eagle do at the end of this story?

Students Respond: Eagle, who was the guardian, protector, and guide of Master Forest, flew high above the resting wolves and deer. She completely approved the lessons and teachings about wisdom and reason. She felt that all was well in Master Forest.

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OTHER STORIES BY TERRY GARDNER

Four Coyote tales:

1. Coyote meets his master

A. Read-aloud story