The Three Questions
What is the first question the boy asks?
What is the best time to do things?
What is the name of the main character in the story?
Nikolai
What does Nikolai do when he sees the injured panda?
He helps take care of it
Where does Nikolai go to find answers?
To Leo’s mountain home
What is one big lesson Nikolai learns from his experience with the panda?
Helping others is the right thing to do.
What is the second question the boy asks?
Who is the most important one?
Name the three characters Nikolai goes to for advice at first.
His animal friends: a heron, a monkey, and a dog
What lesson does Nikolai learn about the most important time?
Now is the most important time
What happens when Nikolai hears a cry for help?
He finds and helps the injured panda
Why is “living in the moment” an important idea in the story?
Because the present is when we can make a difference.
What is the third question the boy asks?
What is the right thing to do?
Who helps Nikolai find the answers to his questions?
Leo, the wise old turtle
Who is the most important person?
The person you are with.
What does Nikolai realize at the end of the story?
That he already found the answers through his actions
How does the story show that actions can answer questions better than words?
Nikolai finds his answers by helping, not just asking.
Why does Nikolai want to know the answers to the three questions?
He wants to be a good person and do what is right.
Name the two characters Nikolai saves in the storm.
A panda and her baby
What should you always try to do for others?
Help them or be kind
What does Leo do while Nikolai helps the panda?
He watches quietly
What does the story show about helping others?
Helping others is the most important thing
Do the animals give Nikolai the answers he wants?
No, their answers confuse him, so he goes to Leo.
What do Nikolai’s friends represent in the story?
Different points of view and ways of thinking
What does Nikolai learn at the end?
To care for others right now
How does Nikolai feel after helping the panda?
Happy and at peace because he did what was right
What two things did Nikolai do to show what is important without saying it?
By helping the turtle dig his garden and helping the panda and her baby