Reading Planet KS2: The Unfortunate Crane: A Tale from the Punjab - Stars/Lime

The crane in the Punjabi forest is teased for its ugliness, but a fire starts and reveals its importance. The Unfortunate Crane: A Punjabi Tale is a book from the Reading Planet Cosmos range that supports children's reading development.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 32 pages
Publication date: 18 August 2023
Publisher: Hodder Education

The crane, a majestic creature, finds solace by a serene lake, nestled deep within the enchanting Punjabi forest. However, its happiness is often marred by the taunts and mockery of other animals, particularly the spiteful peacock, who relentlessly belittles it for its perceived ugliness. Despite this, the crane remains resilient, refusing to let the cruelty of others define its existence.

One fateful day, a young boy named Gagan accidentally sets fire to the forest, trapping all the animals that cannot fly. As the flames engulf the woodland, panic spreads among the creatures, and they realize the gravity of their situation. The crane, with its wings clipped, finds itself trapped and vulnerable.

In this dire moment, the true importance of the crane becomes apparent to the other animals. They realize that without its soaring abilities, they too would be trapped and at risk. The crane's presence in the forest had always been taken for granted, but now, as they look up at it with newfound admiration, they understand that it is a vital component of their ecosystem.

The animals rally together, using their strengths and abilities to create a makeshift rescue mission. They form a chain, passing the crane from one to another, allowing it to escape the burning forest. The crane, grateful for the selfless acts of the other animals, realizes that it is not alone in the world and that its beauty lies not in its physical appearance, but in its resilience and the love and support of its fellow creatures.

As the crane soars through the skies, free from the flames, it reflects on the lessons it has learned. It realizes that true beauty lies not in superficial appearances, but in the strength of character and the ability to overcome adversity. The crane spreads its wings wide, embracing the beauty of the forest and the newfound appreciation it receives from its fellow animals.

The Unfortunate Crane: A Punjabi Tale serves as a powerful reminder that we should never judge others based on their appearance. It teaches us to appreciate the diversity of the natural world and to recognize the importance of every creature, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem. Through the story of the crane, children will learn valuable lessons about empathy, friendship, and the power of resilience.

This book is part of the Reading Planet Cosmos range from Hodder Education, which offers a vibrant collection of fiction and non-fiction books that will broaden children's reading horizons. Cosmos provides carefully levelled books to support children in becoming fluent and confident readers, with useful notes and questions to support reading at home and develop comprehension skills. Reading age: 7-8.

Weight: 94g
Dimension: 169 x 209 x 5 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781398376984