For some reason I'm not quite sure I appreciate the fable's lesson completely. But the illustrations are, of course, wonderful. I'd consider buying this for your favorite toddler - a child would get more out of it with every subsequent reading. ( )

Colorful Tibetian folktale teaching the ill affects of idle curiosity. Loved Demi's very colorful and culture enhanced illustrations. ( )

This book is a good example of folktale because it it was a story that was passed down orally through generations said to have originated in India in 550 B.C. The story has an engaging plot because it begins with a wise king, and then introduces 2 men that each have 10 children and are poor. The two have a dispute where one's donkey tripped over a rock and broke the other man's bottle of oil, which was all that he had in the world. Then the king decided to arrest the donkey and the rock. People gathered to see what the king would do. Then the King pointed out how foolish their curiosity was and that in order to leave they had to pay 10 coins. That money than went to the man who had lost the oil. The lesson was to never let idle curiosity get the better of them.
Media: Water Color
Age Appropriateness: Primary ( )