Nikolai wants to be a good person but he isn’t always sure how to do that. He sets out on a quest to answer these questions:
When is the best time to do things?
Who is the most important one?
What is the right thing to do?
Nikolai climbs the mountain to ask his wise old turtle friend for advice. He ends up finding the answers to his questions by responding to the cries of a stranger.
Jon J. Muth based this story on Leo Tolstoy’s short story of the same name. His vivid water coloured paintings use a dog, monkey, heron and panda to help tell the moral tale to a younger audience.
This story opens up conversations with kids about what it takes to be a good person. Being present for those you love is why we’re here.
Helps with: Zen philosophy, compassion, the importance of intention, being in the now, making good choices, being present for those close to you, helping others, getting good counsel.
Author: Jon J. Muth
Publisher: Scholastic Press, 2002