Name _____________________________________________________________
Sass/Scow EGE
“Shrewd Todie and Lyzer the Miser” pp. 56-61 in And Justice for All
Read this folk tale, answer the questions, and bring this and your book with you to class on
Tuesday, November 20.
Focus: Who judges?
This is a Ukrainian folk tale that is ideal to read aloud. It might be fun to read this aloud with some classmates and
create character voices when reading.
The “rule of three” is a popular story-telling technique in which the last in a series of three similar events causes a
reversal in fortunes for the main characters. For example, in “The Three Little Pigs,” the first two pigs lose their
homes, but the third triumphs over the wolf. Think about how this folk tale follows the rule of three. Are there
other stories or jokes that you can think of that use this technique? Why do you think the rule of three has
become a traditional format for story-telling?
Vocabulary
admonishingly—warningly; scoldingly
apprentices—learners; assistants
reproached—rebuked; reprimanded
retorted—replied; snapped
Answer the following questions thoroughly and completely:
1. Why did Todie trick Lyzer the miser? (Recall)
2. How does the author show Lyzer’s miserly ways? (Recall)
3. Do you think the rabbi’s pronouncement was fair? (Analysis)