Paired Texts > The Cave That Talked

by Jyoti Singh Visvanath 2004

We've identified these texts as great options for text pairings based on similar themes, literary devices, topic, or writing style. Supplement your lesson with one or more of these options and challenge students to compare and contrast the texts. To assign a paired text, click on the text to go to its page and click the "Assign Text" button there.

The Three Little Pigs
The Three Little Pigs
Joseph Jacobs

In this classic fable, three pigs each attempt to build houses that will protect them from the wicked schemes of a hungry wolf.

Pair “The Three Little Pigs” with “The Cave That Talked: A Tale from the Panchatantra” and ask students to discuss how the characters in the two tales avoid danger. How do the actions of the third pig compare to the actions of the jackal? What do students think the characters have in common?

5th Grade Fable 810L
The Donkey, the Fox, and the Lion
The Donkey, the Fox, and the Lion
Aesop

In "The Donkey, the Fox, and the Lion," a fox chooses to betray his friend, the donkey, to save himself from the lion.

Pair “The Donkey, the Fox, and the Lion” with “The Cave That Talked: A Tale from the Panchatantra” and ask students to compare the themes of the two folktales. How do the actions of the lion in “The Donkey, the Fox, and the Lion” compare to the actions of the lion in “The Cave That Talked: A Tale from the Panchatantra”? What lessons do students think the two folktales are trying to teach readers?

6th Grade Fable 1160L
What is a Fable?
What is a Fable?
Barbara Radner

In the informational text "What is a Fable?" Barbara Radner describes what a fable is and provides examples of fables. 

Pair “The Cave That Talked” with “What is a Fable?” and ask students to discuss what the moral of the fable is and who learns it. How do the talking animals in the fable help readers understand the moral even better? Why do you think authors write fables?

3rd Grade Informational Text 490L
Cheese for Dinner
Cheese for Dinner
Judy Goldman

In Judy Goldman's retelling of the fable, "Cheese for Dinner," a coyote is tricked out of his dinner by a clever rabbit.  

Pair “The Cave That Talked” with “Cheese for Dinner” and ask students to compare the experiences of the animals in each text. Which animals attempt to use intelligence to defeat the other animals? Which are successful? What characteristics lead to their success or failure? Why?

4th Grade Fable 520L
The Lion's Den
The Lion's Den
Kevin Crossley-Holland

In "The Lion's Den," a clever fox outsmarts an unreasonable and ruthless lion.

Pair “The Cave That Talked” with “The Lion’s Den” and ask students to discuss the similarities between the jackal from “The Cave That Talked” and fox from “The Lion’s Den.” How did both characters outsmart the lion? How do both fables teach about cleverness?

3rd Grade Fable 490L