Set in ancient China, this book tells the story of two brothers, Chang and Tikki tikki tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo who decide to play near a well, even though they are told not to. Their names were so different because in ancient China it was custom for parents to give their firstborn sons elaborate, short names and their second-born sons unimportant, short ones. One day when they are playing, Chang accidently falls into the well, leaving his older brother to run and find his mother so they can rescue him. However, when his brother Tikki tikki tembo falls into the well he shouts to his mother that Tikki tikki tembo has fallen in the well over and over again because his mother cannot hear him, so he goes to an old man. The old man gets the ladder and uses the ladder to get Tikki tikki tembo out of the well just in time. It takes a long time for Tikki Tikki Tembo to be found which goes to show it is better to give children shorter names instead of great, long names. This is also the reason Chinese names are often short and one syllable.
After reading this story to students, I would ask them how they thought the two brothers felt about each other and why. I would then discuss the Chinese culture with them and use other books from the library as references. I would ask students to get into groups and read another Chinese story, discussing what they liked about it. If possible, I would invite a Chinese guest to share a story, custom, or tradition with the class shortly after.
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