Students will be able to analyze the themes of courage, duty, and sacrifice in a narrative about a soldier who leaves his post to protect a village from marauding bandits and supernatural forces.
What does it mean to show courage in difficult situations?
Have you ever had to make a tough choice for the sake of others? Describe that experience.
Why do you think some people feel it is important to protect their community?
Soldier: A person who serves in an army.
Deserts: To abandon or leave a place or duty.
Post: A position of duty or employment.
Protect: To keep safe from harm or danger.
Village: A small community or group of houses in a rural area.
Threatened: In danger or at risk.
Marauding: Going about in search of things to steal or people to attack.
Bandits: Robbers or thieves, especially in a gang.
Supernatural: Relating to forces beyond the natural world, often involving magic or spirits.
Courage: The ability to confront fear or adversity.
Duty: A moral or legal obligation; responsibility.
Sacrifice: Giving up something valued for the sake of others.
Defense: The act of protecting or guarding against attack.
Conflict: A struggle or clash between opposing forces.
Allies: Friends or partners, especially in a difficult situation.
Strategy: A plan of action designed to achieve a specific goal.
Rescue: To save someone from a dangerous situation.
Community: A group of people living in the same area or having common interests.
Valor: Great courage in the face of danger.
Danger: The possibility of suffering harm or injury.
Intruders: People who enter without permission.
Survival: The act of continuing to live or exist, especially in difficult conditions.
Leadership: The action of leading a group or organization.
Resistance: The refusal to accept or comply with something.
Honor: Great respect or esteem.
Battle: A fight or conflict between opposing forces.
Unity: The state of being united or forming a whole.
Threat: A person or thing likely to cause harm.
Legacy: Something handed down from the past.
Redemption: The action of being saved from sin or error.
Questions:
How does the soldier’s decision to desert his post reflect his understanding of duty?
In what ways do the supernatural forces add to the danger faced by the village?
How do the soldier’s actions lead to a sense of unity within the community?
What strategies does the soldier use to protect the village from the marauding bandits?
Writing Prompt:
Imagine you are the soldier who has just deserted your post. Write a letter to your commander explaining your reasons for leaving and what you hope to achieve by protecting the village. Discuss the values of courage, sacrifice, and leadership that guide you in this decision.
