Objective:
Students will explore the concepts of trust, bonds, and loyalty in relationships through a true story of animal-human connection. By analyzing and reflecting on these concepts, students will gain insight into the foundations of strong relationships and consider how they can apply these values in their own lives.
Lesson Outline
1. Introduction to Trust and Bonds
- Question to Start: Begin by asking students to think about what makes a strong friendship or relationship and have them share their ideas with the class.
- Brainstorming Activity: Record student responses on the board, creating a “concept web” of keywords such as trust, loyalty, respect, communication, and support.
- Guided Questions:
- “Why do you think trust is important in a relationship?”
- “Can a bond exist without trust? Why or why not?”
- Focus on Key Terms: Briefly define any terms that come up, like trust, loyalty, and empathy, to establish a common understanding for the rest of the lesson.
2. Video Presentation: The Lion Cub Reunion Story
- Introduction: Explain that students are about to watch a true story of a lion cub reunited with his former caretakers.
- Viewing the Video: Show the video, encouraging students to take note of their reactions and any surprising aspects of the story.
Christian the Lion
- Background: In 1969, two friends, John Rendall and Anthony Bourke, purchased a lion cub from Harrods (a London department store that, astonishingly, once sold exotic animals). They named him Christian and raised him in their apartment and later in a furniture store.
- Reunion Story: After a year, Christian grew too large for the city life, and the friends rehomed him in a wildlife reserve in Kenya. A year later, they returned to Kenya to see if Christian would remember them. To everyone’s surprise, he did—and ran to them with excitement, hugging and nuzzling them, much like a family reunion.
- Lesson: This story of Christian demonstrates how love and care can transcend species and how animals are capable of incredible memory and connection.
- See more info on the story here. A Lion Called Christian
3. Class Discussion and Analysis
- Open Discussion: Facilitate a discussion using the following questions, asking students to think critically about the story:
- “What emotions did you feel watching the lion and his caretakers reunite?”
- “Were you surprised by the lion’s reaction? Why or why not?”
- “What specific actions or behaviors helped build trust between the lion and the humans?”
- Deeper Analysis: Lead students to consider why bonds are formed. Explore what makes certain relationships strong, whether human or animal:
- “How do you think the caretakers felt when the lion trusted them?”
- “What lessons can we apply to our own relationships from this story?”
4. Small Group Activity: Creating Friendship Rules
- Form Small Groups: Divide students into groups of 3-4.
- Task: Instruct each group to create a list of 5-7 “Friendship Rules” inspired by the story and the discussion. Encourage them to think about the actions, attitudes, or principles that strengthen bonds.
- Sharing and Reflection: Have each group present their list, explaining why they chose each rule. Consider displaying these on a poster in the classroom to reinforce the values discussed.
5. Individual Reflection: Personal Connections to Trust
- Reflective Writing Prompt: Ask students to write a short personal reflection addressing the following questions:
- “Describe a time when you felt a strong bond or trust with someone, or even a pet.”
- “How did this experience affect your understanding of trust?”
- “What does this experience, combined with the lion’s story, teach us about the importance of loyalty in relationships?”
- Optional Sharing: If time allows, invite a few students to share their reflections.
6. Conclusion: Applying the Lesson to Real Life
- Recap Key Takeaways: Summarize the main ideas discussed, emphasizing that bonds are built over time with actions that show trust, loyalty, and empathy.
- Real-World Application: Ask students to think of specific ways they can apply these principles to their own friendships and relationships, such as practicing honesty, being supportive, or actively listening to others.
Extension Activity: Research and Presentation
- Animal-Human Bonds Research: Assign students to research another story of a strong animal-human bond, whether involving pets, rescued animals, or wild animals. See examples below.
- Presentation Preparation: Have students prepare a brief presentation where they:
- Describe the story of the bond they researched
- Identify the factors that created the bond
- Reflect on any lessons we can take from these relationships to apply in human interactions
- Presentation Time: Give students time to share their findings in the next class, fostering an ongoing discussion about loyalty, compassion, and trust.
1. The Story of Hachiko the Dog
- Background: Hachiko was an Akita dog in Japan who became famous for his unwavering loyalty to his owner, Professor Hidesaburo Ueno. Every day, Hachiko would wait for the professor at the Shibuya train station when he returned from work. Sadly, Ueno passed away unexpectedly one day and never returned.
- Loyalty and Love: Despite this, Hachiko continued to wait at the station every day for nearly ten years, hoping his beloved owner would come back. Local commuters and station workers grew attached to Hachiko, and he became a symbol of loyalty and love in Japan. A statue now stands at Shibuya Station in honor of his dedication.
- Lesson: Hachiko’s story is a powerful lesson on love, loyalty, and dedication. His loyalty transcended circumstances and remains a profound example of how bonds can endure across time and space.
2. Tarra the Elephant and Bella the Dog
- Background: At the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee, Tarra, an Asian elephant, formed an unusual but deep friendship with Bella, a small stray dog. They were inseparable, often seen exploring the grounds together, playing, and resting side-by-side. BBC
- Loyalty in Loss: One day, Bella injured her spine and needed to rest inside for several weeks. Tarra stayed by the sanctuary’s gate, waiting for her friend to return. Tragically, Bella later passed away, and Tarra was visibly affected by her loss, showing signs of mourning.
- Lesson: This story highlights the concept of loyalty and the power of cross-species friendships. It’s a touching example of how animals, like humans, experience grief and loss, teaching us about empathy and the importance of companionship. CBS NEWS
3. The Story of Owen and Mzee
- Background: Owen, a baby hippo, was separated from his mother after a tsunami in 2004. He was rescued and taken to an animal sanctuary in Kenya, where he was introduced to Mzee, a 130-year-old Aldabra tortoise.
- Unlikely Friendship: Despite their differences, Owen quickly became attached to Mzee, and the two developed a remarkable bond. Mzee guided Owen around the sanctuary, and the two spent almost all of their time together, demonstrating a unique friendship that spanned species, age, and size.
- Lesson: Owen and Mzee’s bond serves as a testament to the adaptability of relationships and how bonds can form under extraordinary circumstances. This story is particularly meaningful in teaching students about acceptance and friendship across differences.