Version 1 (U.S. farm): Emma pulled a lamb from a muddy ditch. Later, the lamb led Emma to her lost mitten near the barn. Version 2 (Kenyan village): Akinyi freed a goat from a thorn bush. Later, the goat tugged Akinyi to her lost water gourd by the path. What happens in both versions?

Version 1 (Story from Australia): Jack saw a koala stuck in a low tree with smoke nearby. He guided it down and gave it water from his bottle. The koala climbed away to safety. Later, Jack could not find his way back on the trail. The koala sat up high and made a sound, and Jack followed it to the path.

Version 2 (Story from Egypt): Salma saw a cat stuck on a rooftop in the hot sun. She brought a bowl of water and helped the cat climb down. The cat ran into the shade. Later, Salma’s scarf blew into the street. The cat chased it and dropped it at her feet. How are the settings different in the two versions?​​​

Version 1 (Version from Japan): Aki shared warm rice balls at the spring picnic. She gave one to a new classmate who forgot lunch. Later, rain started, and Aki had no umbrella. The classmate shared a bright umbrella and walked Aki home. Aki said, “Thank you for sharing with me.”

Version 2 (Version from Kenya): Nia shared chapati at a family gathering under an acacia tree. She gave some to a neighbor who came without food. Later, the sun was hot, and Nia forgot her water bottle. The neighbor shared cool water and walked with Nia. Nia said, “Thank you for sharing with me.”

How are the settings different in the two versions?

Version 1 (desert): Amir gave water to a tired camel. Later, the camel carried Amir’s heavy pack to camp. Version 2 (mountains): Ella gave hay to a hungry donkey. Later, the donkey pulled Ella’s cart up a hill. What is the same in both versions?

Version 1 (Japan): Kenji shared rice balls with a hungry boy at the park. Later, the boy helped Kenji find his missing cap. Version 2 (Mexico): Sofia shared warm tortillas with a tired traveler at the plaza. Later, the traveler helped Sofia find her missing scarf. What is different in the two stories?

Version 1 (Caribbean): Anansi the spider wanted extra mangoes. He told his friends the tree was “too tall,” then ate the mangoes himself. He got a stomachache and learned to share. Version 2 (U.S. woods): A clever raccoon wanted extra berries. He told other animals the bush was “too prickly,” then ate the berries himself. He got a stomachache and learned to share. What lesson is the same in both stories?

Version 1 (Story from Greece): Eleni found a dolphin caught in fishing line near the shore. She called for help, and the line was cut away. The dolphin splashed and swam free. Later, Eleni’s little brother drifted on a float too far out. The dolphin pushed the float back to the beach.

Version 2 (Story from New Zealand): Tama found a seal tangled in seaweed by the rocks. He pulled the seaweed off and the seal slid into the water. Later, Tama dropped his fishing pole off the dock. The seal bumped it back to the edge. What is the same in both stories?​​​

Version 1 (Version from India): Mira worked each day to carry water in a clay pot. Her cousin slept late and did not help. When a dry week came, Mira had saved extra water at home. Her family used the water and stayed calm. Mira learned that hard work helps later.

Version 2 (Version from Norway): Lars worked each day to stack firewood by the cabin. His friend played games and did not help. When a cold storm came, Lars had a big wood pile ready. His family stayed warm and safe. Lars learned that hard work helps later.

What is different about the work in the two stories?

Version 1 (Version from South Korea): Hana helped a sparrow with a hurt wing in her yard. She made a soft nest in a small box and gave it water. Days later, Hana lost her hair clip in the grass. The sparrow chirped and pecked near the clip until Hana saw it. Hana thanked the sparrow for helping back.

Version 2 (Version from Canada): Noah helped a baby squirrel stuck in a fence near his street. He opened the gate and guided it out with a towel. Days later, Noah lost his mitten in the snow. The squirrel dug and pulled the mitten up to the path. Noah thanked the squirrel for helping back.

What is the same in both stories?

Version 1 (Version from the Caribbean): Tia found a plain shell on the beach. She cleaned it and painted it with bright colors. At the festival, the shell became a shiny charm on her necklace. Tia felt proud because she cared for something small.

Version 2 (Version from China): Chen found a plain stone near a river. He washed it and carved a simple star on it. At the school fair, the stone became a smooth paperweight for his desk. Chen felt proud because he cared for something small.

Both stories teach the same lesson. What is it?