Name: ______________________________________________________________________ Date: ________________ Period: _________

HOMEWORK for 9/11/12

Due 9/13/12

Elements of Fiction: The Four Oxen and the Lion by Asesop

Fable a succinct fictional story that feature animals and illustrate
a moral (idea of what is right and wrong) lesson.
Directions: Read the following fable and then answer the questions below.
A lion used to prowl about a field in which Four Oxen used to dwell. Many a time he tried to attack
them; but whenever he came near they turned their tails to one another, so that whichever way he
approached them he was met by the horns of one of them. At last, however, they fell a-quarrelling
among themselves, and each went off to pasture alone in a separate corner of the field. Then the
Lion attacked them one by one and soon made an end of all four.
United we stand, divided we fall.
1. Who are the characters in the story?
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2. Name the protagonist of the story. Why is this character the protagonist?
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3. Name the antagonist of the story. Why is this character the antagonist?
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4. What types of Man vs. _____ conflicts exist in the story? (You can substitute an animal for man in
this case.)
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5. Where does this story take place?
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6. What is the theme, or lessons/moral, to be learned from this story? (Hint: check the last line.)
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