Azban and the Crayfish
What animal is Azban?
raccoon
“The food looked so delectable that everyone wanted more.”
What does delectable most likely mean?
A) Hot
B) Delicious
C) Expensive
D) Tiny
B) delicious
What are the 3 main parts of a narrative?
Beginning, Middle, End
Who is Gilgamesh’s best friend?
Enkidu
Act out 3 emotions using only your face. The class must guess the emotions!
(Student acts it out; correct emotion = point)
True or False: Azban catches the crayfish by pretending to be asleep.
False. He pretends to be dead.
“During the long famine, the animals searched for food everywhere.”
What does famine mean here?
A time with little or no food
True or False: A good narrative always includes a clear setting and climax at the beginning.
False
What type of story is Gilgamesh the Hero?
An epic or myth
Do a 5-second dramatic reading of the sentence: “The raccoon was NOT amused.”
(Student reads dramatically — class votes on best performance)
What is Azban’s main goal in the story?
To catch crayfish for food.
“Tortoise gave an eloquent speech that made the birds trust him.”
Which clue helps you guess the meaning of eloquent?
A) He made them trust him
B) He shouted loudly
C) He spoke quickly
D) He spoke sweetly
A) He made them trust him ✅ → Eloquent = polite, beautiful speaking
Which sentence shows showing instead of telling:
A) He was scared.
B) His hands trembled as the door creaked open.
B
What lesson does Gilgamesh learn by the end of the story?
That friendship and wisdom are more important than power.
Act out the scene where Azban pretends to be dead. Use words from the text.
100 point bonus for great acting!
(Students act out accordingly)
What does Azban’s story teach readers?
Cleverness and patience can help solve problems
“The crayfish survived Azban’s tricks by hiding under rocks.”
Based on this sentence, what does survived mean?
Escaped safely
In narrative writing, what is the climax?
The most exciting or intense part of the story.
Who is the monster Gilgamesh and Enkidu fight in the story?
Huwawa (also called Humbaba)
Say a tongue twister three times fast!: “She sells sea shells by the seashore.”
Bonus point if you don’t mess up!
(Student says tongue twister correctly = points) ✅
How does the comic format help readers understand Azban’s emotions?
The pictures show facial expressions and actions that words alone don’t.
“The voluble tortoise talked so much that the birds got tired of listening.”
What does voluble mean?
A person that talks a lot
Write a 1-sentence ending for this prompt: “The door creaked open and…”
(Open-ended — accept creative, complete sentences)
Compare and Contrast:
Name 2 similarities and 2 differences between Azban and Tortoise
Similarities:
Both animals
Both talk
Both use trickery to get what they want
Both looking for food
Differences
Azban uses action (playing dead) to trick crayfish
Tortoise uses words to fool the birds
Two volunteers act out Tortoise convincing the birds to take him to the feast — one as Tortoise, one as a bird. Use at least one persuasive phrase!
(Class votes — both actors earn points if creative & clear)