A folk tale is a simple story that has been shared and told to many people over the years. Folk tales generally reflect the culture they come from. The plot of a folk tale involves simple events and problems. The setting and the events reflect the traditions of the tale’s culture.

Folk tales often share a life lesson. The theme of a folk tale is usually a timeless and universal message that relates to most people. In fact, the same theme may appear in tales from different cultures.

What is the theme of “The Clever Magistrate”? One way to identify the theme is to look for clues in the title, the setting, the thoughts and actions of the characters, and the plot.

Practice Together

Begin a Theme Chart Use a Theme Chart to collect the clues you discover. Copy the chart below. Then think about the title of the folk tale. What message does the title hint at? Talk with a partner and find one more clue from the characters, setting, or plot.

Theme Chart

Try It!

Complete the Theme Chart Add more clues from the setting, the characters, and the plot that lead to the main message, or theme, of the folk tale. Then write a sentence that tells the theme of the tale. How does the theme relate to your experience? What life lesson do you think the folk tale conveys? Discuss your ideas with a partner.