Use some or all of the following questions as a guide for discussing the story:  source: http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/curriculum/socialStd/grade3/Masai_I.html

Use the following questions as a guide for discussing thhe story:

1. How would you describe the physical setting of the region where the Masai live? (Grassland region near the equator, dry area, hills and some small trees, cows and buffaloes, and wild animals: giraffes, ostriches, zebras.)

    

2. How do the Masai use natural resources to meet their needs and wants? (Homes made from the earth, water from water hole, gourd to carry water, honey from honeycomb for sweets, cowhide used for door, sleep on cowhide, sandals made of buffalo hide, cows' fat and clay used on skin, milk the cows.)

    

3. How are members of the Masai interdependent with each other? (Huts are clustered together and everyone knows and helps everyone else. Boys and men go for water for themselves and the women and children; and the women, girls, and small children help each other to gather honey.)

    

4. How do the Masai travel? (They walk or run everywhere they go.)

    

5. Why do you think the Masai have many cattle? (Masai own large herds of cattle because they provide many products to meet the Masai basic needs.) Teacher note: The Masai do not kill the animals for their meat. They only eat the meat after a cow has died naturally.

    

6. Look at the picture of Linda when school is out; it shows the Masai child running in parched sod. What are the men in the background in this picture doing? (They are running with spears.) Why do you think the men are doing this? (Students will probably say they are going hunting.) Teacher note: The Masai men are probably trying to keep a wild animal from killing some of their cows. They are not hunters or gatherers. They hunt lions only to keep them away from cows. They are devoted to their cows, and the number of cows a person owns is a measure of one's wealth.

    

7. Masai are nomadic herders which means they move from one place to another. They do not stay in one place. Why do you think they do this? (The land there is very dry and grass and trees are scattered. As the cattle consume the resources, the Masai move them to another location.)