by Charlotte Zolotow

Questions for Philosophical Discussion
by Gareth B Matthews
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The Lady on the block lives alone.

1. Is it easy for people to live alone?
2. Is it easy for some people and not for others?
3. Is it difficult for people to live alone?
4. Is it more difficult for some people than for others? Explain.
5. Most people live with a family. How do you feel about living with your family?
6. Is living with a family right for everyone? Explain your answer.
7. Have you ever been alone for a long period of time? Was it easy or difficult? Is it good to experience being alone?
   

The lady works regularly in her garden.

1. Why do people grow gardens? Think of several reasons.
2. Should everyone have a garden? If not, what are some reasons that some people may not have one?
3. Is growing a garden like owning a pet? Is it like having children? Explain your answer.
4. How are gardens grown - by nature or by people? Explain your answer.
   

The lady gives her neighbors daffodils, zinnias, chrysanthemums, and red holly berries.

1. Is it nicer to give gifts that you have grown or a gift that you bought? Explain your answer.
2. Why do people give presents? Think of several reasons.
3. How might you feel if there was no need for giving gifts?
4. Do you need a reason to give someone a present? Explain your answer.
   

The lady waves to the neighbourhood children on their way to school. She smiles at them on their way home.

1. Do you like it when people wave at you?
2. Do you wave at others? Why or why not?
3. How do you decide when to wave and when to smile?
4. Do these gestures have different meanings?
5. Can dogs or cats do actions similar to wave or a smile? If so, what?
6. Are these actions important to understanding the animal?
   
   
   

The lady invites the neighborhood children to celebrate Halloween and Christmas.

1. Why do people celebrate special days such as Halloween, Christmas, and Hanukkah?
2. Does your family celebrate a special day that other families do not celebrate?
3. What are some of the traditional stories that accompany holiday celebrations?
4. Is it important to know the customs for celebrating holidays? Explain your answer.

 

The lady knows Sally's name and the name of Sally's dog.

1. Is it important to know a person's name? Think of several reasons.
2. Can you be friends with someone without knowing his or her name? Explain your answer.
3. Is it important to know the name of a cat or dog?
4. Can you give an object any name you wish? Why do some people name pets, places and objects?


The lady feeds the wild birds and a stray cat.

1. Should people feed wild birds?
2. Does it matter whether people like the birds? Explain your answer.
3. The lady feeds a stray cat. What does this show about her personality?
4. Would you help wild birds or stray animals? Why or why not?
5. Do birds or animals ever do anything for you? Explain your answer.

The lady was once a little girl.

1. Can you imagine what the lady was like as a little girl? If so, how can you tell?
2. Do you ever imagine yourself as an elderly man or woman? Explain your answer.
3. Have you seen photographs of your parents or grandparents as children? Are these pictures interesting? Explain your answer.
4. Have you seen a photograph of yourself as a baby?
5. How do you feel about seeing yourself much younger?

When the lady was a little girl, perhaps she knew an older woman who did the same things that the lady does now.

1. Do you suppose your mother imitates what her mother once did or that your father ever imitates his father?
2. Do you ever copy your older brother's or sister's actions?
3. Do you ever copy the older children at school?
4. Is it important to copy others? If so, when?
5. Do animals ever copy one another? Explain your answer?
   
   
   Sally imagines trading places with the lady.

1. Can you imagine your parents as children? What might they have been like?
2. Can you imagine being the mother or father of your teacher? What might you be like?
3. Can adults and children be friends? Explain your answer.
4. Why is it good to have friends your own age?
5. Why might it be good to older or younger friends?

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