CHARACTERS
Who is the tall tree that has a problem in the story?
Sugar maple
What problem does Sugar Maple have at the beginning of the story?
Beetles and grubs are boring into him
Who does Sugar Maple ask for help first?
Deer
What does grubs mean in the story?
Small insects
Is this story fiction or nonfiction?
fiction
Which animal helps Sugar Maple by eating the beetles and grubs?
Woodpecker
Why can’t Sugar Maple fix the problem on his own?
He is a tree and cannot remove the insects
What do all the animals say before Woodpecker helps?
“There is nothing we can do.”
What does sap mean?
Liquid inside a tree
What lesson does the story teach about helping others?
Helping others can lead to help later
Name two animals that could NOT help Sugar Maple.
Deer, Squirrel, Rabbit, Porcupine, or Fox
How does Woodpecker solve Sugar Maple’s problem?
By pecking and eating the beetles and grubs
What does Sugar Maple give Woodpecker during the drought?
Sap to drink
What does reigned mean when describing Sugar Maple?
Ruled or stood proudly
Which theme best fits the story?
A. Greed
B. Kindness and cooperation
C. Bravery in battle
Which character asks for help twice—once at the beginning and once later in the story?
Sugar maple
What problem does Woodpecker have later in the story?
He is dying of thirst
What happens every spring because of this friendship?
Sugar maples share their sap with woodpeckers
What does drought mean?
A long time without rain
What evidence from the story supports the theme?
Sugar Maple helps Woodpecker after Woodpecker helped him
Who is your teacher?
Miss. Gibason/Miss. White
Why is Sugar Maple able to help Woodpecker later even though he could not help himself at the beginning?
Sugar Maple cannot move or remove insects, but he can provide sap when Woodpecker needs water.
Why is it important that Sugar Maple remembers what Woodpecker did for him earlier in the story?
It explains why Sugar Maple chooses to help Woodpecker later.
Which word from the story best shows that Sugar Maple is thankful, and what does it mean?
“Thank you” — it shows gratitude or appreciation.
How does the ending of the story help teach the theme? Use one detail from the text.
The ending shows that helping others leads to helping each other again, like Sugar Maple sharing sap every spring.