The Bird in the Basket Level 23-24

The Bird in the Basket is a traditional Indonesian tale about kindness, magic, and greed. It follows three hardworking sisters living in poverty whose lives change when the youngest discovers a magical bird. Each morning, the bird fills a basket with enough rice to sustain them, until a greedy uncle attempts to steal their fortune. Told in a stylised format with formal language and evocative onomatopoeia, this story introduces students to another culture while conveying timeless values of generosity and honesty. The vibrant illustrations, past verb forms, and narrative structure serve as a model for understanding and writing traditional tales. This engaging story offers a rich platform for exploring literary devices, cultural diversity, and ethical decision-making in a classroom setting.

Educational Benefits:

• Enhances understanding of traditional tale structure and features.
• Builds comprehension of cultural context and moral storytelling.
• Expands vocabulary through exposure to formal and stylised language.
• Encourages comparison of global storytelling traditions.

Classroom Ideas:

• Compare this tale with a similar traditional story from another culture.
• Discuss the moral lessons and have students reflect on their own values.
• Illustrate scenes from the story using Indonesian art styles.
• Write an alternative ending where the uncle makes a different choice.

Information:

• Reading Level: 23-24 (Silver)
• Suitable for ages: 9-11 years
• Format: Paperback
• Page size approx.: 210mm x 148mm