I. Read Li Chi Slays The Serpent
Discuss what it means to be a hero/heroine, relate it to this story in particular. What makes Li Chi heroic? Have students think about what she has done and come up with a list of things she does and how that makes her a heroine.
- She volunteers to be one of the daughters consumed by the dragon; however, every man has failed in their fight to kill the serpent.
- Sacrifices her life to save her family
- She is smart. She asks for a sharp sword and a snake-hunting dog, and she takes rice balls with her.
- She bravely waits for the snake, but outsmarts the snake.
- She fights off the snake.
- She saves the kingdom.
II. Write down characteristics of Li Chi:
- Brave
- Strong
- Smart
- Sacrificial
- Remembered
- Unknown
- Courageous
- Unexpected
III. Collaborative Activity: Class Hero
Come up with a class heroine or hero using the prompts below:
Where are they from?
How big is their family?
What do they look like?
What beast is causing problems in their village?
What is the beast’s name?
Where does the beast live?
What does the beast look like?
Has anyone tried to kill this beast/monster before?
What do they bring with them to fight off monsters or beasts?
How do they fight off the beasts?
How will the hero or heroine be rewarded if they kill the beast? Do they need to kill the beast?
After you’ve finished the collaborative activity, have students create their own heroes/heroines.
If there is time, have students take their heroes/heroines and free write for several minutes. Allow them to do whatever they want with their heroes/heroines. They can go anywhere, do anything, see anything they want to, etc. (The idea behind this activity is to get them to start the act of storytelling without any restraint.) Here are some prompts if they need them:
- If your hero/heroine could go anywhere, where would they go?
- What would they take with them?
- Who would they see?
- What kinds of magical things would happen?
- What kinds of magical things might they have with them?
- What kinds of danger might they come across?
- How do they get rid of the danger?
- How does your hero/heroine return to where they are from? Are they greeted happily?
IV. Share with the class
If there is time, have students come up with a second hero, or have them illustrate their first hero.
Required Resources:
“Li Chi Slays The Serpent” from Favorite Folktales From Around the World, Edited by Jane Yolen
Available online: http://lair2000.net/Chinese_Poetry/stories/Li_Chi_Slays_The_Serpent.html
