Dragons and Giants

by Arnold Lobel

Questions for Philosophical Discussion
by Gareth B. Matthews and Marissa Saltzman

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Looking brave:

Frog and Toad look in a mirror to see if they are brave. Frog says they look brave.
Toad asks if they really are brave.

1. How do you look when you are brave?
2. Do you have a special look on your face?
3. Do you stand or walk in a special way?
4. Do some people look brave all the time?
5. Do some people look brave some of the time?
6. Do you have to be doing something frightening to look brave?
7. So, how could Frog and Toad tell that they looked brave?

The nature of bravery:

Frog says that trying to climb a mountain should tell him and Toad whether they are brave.

1. Does doing something that is hard to do show that you are brave?
2. Are there other ways to show that you are brave?
3. Does doing something that's dangerous show that you are brave?
4. What if someone makes you do it?
5. What if you're doing something dangerous and you don't know it's dangerous?
   
   

Perception of bravery:

In the story, Toad says that he is not afraid.

1. How does Toad know this?
2. How do you know when you're being brave?
3. Does someone have to tell you?
4. How can other people tell when you are being brave?
5. Is it possible that you might think you are brave and be wrong?
6. Can other people be wrong if they think that you were not brave?
   
   

Bravery and fear:

When the snake tries to eat Frog and Toad, they jump away and Toad starts shaking.

1. Were Frog and Toad being brave even though they jumped away?
2. What else could they have done?
3. Is it ever brave to run away from something dangerous?
4. Was Toad brave even though he was shaking with fear?
5. Does being scared when you face danger show that you aren't really brave?
6. Is it possible to be brave and afraid at the same time?
   
   

Understanding bravery and time:

When Frog and Toad get back to Toad's house, Toad jumps into bed and pulls the cover up over his head. Frog jumps into the closet and shuts the door.

1. Does hiding under the covers or in the closet show that you are not brave?
2. Do even very brave people need some time to recover from the the excitement of doing something scary?
3. Does a brave person have to be brave all of the time?
4. What does it mean to be brave?

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