Question

and the eldest magician said, \how wise are little children who see and are silent! what was the beast like?\

and the little girl-daughter said, \he was round and he was flat; and his eyes grew upon stalks; and he walked sideways like this; and he was covered with strong armour upon his back.\

and the eldest magician said, \how wise are little children who speak truth! now i know where pau amma went. give me the paddle!\

-\the crab that played with the sea,\
rudyard kipling

what evidence supports the conclusion that the authors purpose is to teach a moral to children?

\he was round and he was flat.\

ow i know where pau amma went.\
\he was covered with strong armour upon his back.\
\how wise are little children who speak truth!\

Explanation:

Analyze the question and target

The question asks for evidence from the passage that supports the conclusion that the author's purpose is to teach a moral to children.

Evaluate the passage context

The passage is an excerpt from Rudyard Kipling's "The Crab That Played with the Sea" (one of the Just So Stories).

• The Eldest Magician praises the children: "How wise are little children who see and are silent!" and later, "How wise are little children who speak truth!"
• The other options describe the physical characteristics of the crab ("He was round and he was flat", "He was covered with strong armour upon his back") or plot progression ("Now I know where Pau Amma went.").

Connect evidence to the moral purpose

Using Just So Stories Analysis and Textual Evidence, we look for statements that address behavior, values, or lessons.

• The quote "How wise are little children who speak truth!" directly praises a moral virtue (speaking the truth).
• This praise serves as an instructive lesson or moral teaching directed at the young audience, reinforcing positive behavior.

Answer:

• (A) "He was round and he was flat."
• (B) "Now I know where Pau Amma went."
• (C) "He was covered with strong armour upon his back."
• (D) "How wise are little children who speak truth!" (Correct answer)