This Indian tale celebrates courage in facing a challenge--his blindness.
Book
Knots on a Counting Rope, by Bill Martin Jr. & John Archambault, illustrated by Ted Rand
A grandfather and his blind grandson, Boy-Strength-of-Blue-Horses, reminisce about the young boy's birth, his first horse, and an exciting horse race.
Discussion Topics
- What is the significance of the title, Knots On a Counting Rope? Who explains its meaning? What happens when the rope is full of knots? Do their families have any similar traditions?
- How was Boy-Strength-of-Blue-Horses name chosen for him? Are they named for anyone in their family? What is the meaning of their name? (You may have a book of names handy to look up name meanings.)
- What is courage? How does Boy-Strength-of-Blue-Horses exhibit courage? How does being blind affect his courage?
Another Great Book
The Wing
The people of the forest are amazed at the beauty and swiftness of She Who Flies Swiftly. She is like a bright jewel among the leafy trees. But one day they find her lying with a broken wing on the forest floor. Suddenly the Creator is there, holding her in his hand. Afterward the others wait for her to fly, but she no longer can. The forest people cannot understand - wasn't she healed by the Creator? Finally they leave her and in her sorrow she begins to sing. The song becomes more and more beautiful. Her voice is joined by that of the Creator.
