The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf is a classic children’s picture book that engages with the themes of identity, acceptance and self-love. The story centers around a gentle and peace-loving bull named Ferdinand who loves to lounge quietly under a cork tree and smell flowers, unlike other rough bulls that love bullfighting. The idea of being true to oneself and embracing one’s unique qualities, even if they differ from societal expectations forms the central theme of this delightful story.
First published in 1936, The Story of Ferdinand was illustrated by Robert Lawson, who provided the iconic illustrations that brought the story to life. His illustrations contributed significantly to the book’s charm and its enduring popularity among readers of all ages.
The Story of Ferdinand | Summary
The story begins with a young bull named Ferdinand, who lives on a peaceful farm in Spain. Unlike the other young bulls, who enjoy rough play and boast about how fierce they will be in bullfights, Ferdinand prefers to sit quietly under a cork tree and smell the flowers. He finds joy and contentment in the simple pleasures of life, like the beauty of nature and the fragrance of the flowers. As Ferdinand grows, he becomes bigger and stronger than the other bulls, but his gentle and nonviolent nature remains unchanged. His mother is worried that he is not like the other bulls and encourages him to participate in bullfighting training. However, even when he is prodded and teased by the other bulls, Ferdinand refuses to engage in aggressive behaviour. He continues to find solace in his peaceful activities.
One day, five men come to the farm to choose a bull for the bullfights in Madrid. The other bulls are excited and eager to be chosen, but Ferdinand is not interested. He accidentally sits on a bumblebee, resulting in a fierce reaction. The men mistake his reaction for aggression and choose him as the fiercest bull for the bullfights. Ferdinand is taken to the city and the bullring in Madrid. When he enters the arena, he is surrounded by cheering crowds and is faced with the matador, the man who fights the bull. However, instead of charging at the matador like the other bulls, Ferdinand is lost in the memory of the old cork tree under which he could spend his lifetime. “The Story of Ferdinand” is a heartwarming tale that celebrates individuality, nonviolence, and the importance of staying true to oneself, even when faced with societal expectations.
The Story of Ferdinand | Story Analysis
“The Story of Ferdinand” is generally interesting to children. The story’s charm lies in its simplicity and relatable themes. Children often find Ferdinand’s character endearing and relatable, and his preference for peace and enjoying the small joys of life resonates with them. The illustrations by Robert Lawson also add to the visual appeal, making it engaging for young readers. While the story is relatively simple, there are a couple of conflicts that children can explore. Ferdinand’s internal conflict is between his peaceful nature and the expectations of the world around him, which values aggression, and bullfighting. He faces pressure to conform to the norm, but he stays true to himself. When Ferdinand is chosen for the bullfights due to a misunderstanding of his reaction to the bee sting, there is an external conflict between his true nature and the expectations placed on him by the bullfighting culture.
Ferdinand’s internal conflict is resolved by his consistent behavior. He does not change who he is despite the pressure he faces. His commitment to his peaceful nature shines through, and he finds contentment in being true to himself. The external conflict is realized at the end of the story where Ferdinand seems to be dreaming of the sweet-smelling flowers and cork tree rather than of the bullfighting match.
The Story of Ferdinand | Character
“The Story of Ferdinand” is a relatively simple story with a focus on the individual character of Ferdinand the Bull. The focus is on Ferdinand and his unique personality, rather than on characters with varying backgrounds or moral stances. The story emphasizes Ferdinand’s inner qualities and how he challenges societal norms.
The men who recruit bulls for bullfighting in “The Story of Ferdinand” play a significant but limited role in the narrative. While their characterization is not deeply explored, their actions and attitudes contribute to the story’s themes and the contrast between Ferdinand’s nature and societal expectations. The men symbolize the societal norms and expectations surrounding bullfighting. They seek bulls that are aggressive and fierce, fitting the traditional image of a bullfighter’s adversary. This expectation stems from the cultural tradition of bullfighting, where the spectacle of the fight is emphasized. The men’s actions are driven by a misunderstanding. When Ferdinand accidentally sits on a bumblebee and reacts in pain, the men mistake his reaction for aggression. This misunderstanding leads to their choosing him as a bull for the bullfights, despite Ferdinand’s true peaceful nature.
The contrast between Ferdinand’s peaceful nature and the men’s expectations creates a central conflict in the story. Ferdinand’s nonconformity challenges the traditional views of bullfighting and raises questions about whether violence and aggression should be glorified. The men’s role is somewhat stereotypical, as they are representatives of the bullfighting culture. However, their role serves to highlight the broader themes of the story rather than to develop complex characters.
The Story of Ferdinand | Themes
Despite its simplicity, “The Story of Ferdinand” offers children several things to think about and consider. Children can contemplate the idea of being true to oneself and embracing one’s unique qualities, even if they differ from societal expectations. The story introduces the concept of solving conflicts peacefully and refraining from aggressive behavior. Children can question how appearances can be deceiving and how misunderstandings can shape others’ perceptions.
The values in the story are explored through Ferdinand’s actions and experiences rather than being explicitly preached. The story does not overtly tell readers what to think or believe. Instead, it allows readers to draw their conclusions from Ferdinand’s journey and the reactions of other characters. This approach encourages readers to engage with the themes and form their understanding.
“The Story of Ferdinand” imparts several valuable lessons. The story teaches the importance of staying true to one’s nature, even in the face of societal pressures. Ferdinand’s peaceful nature exemplifies the idea that gentleness and nonviolence can be powerful qualities. The story indirectly encourages the acceptance of others who may be different, emphasizing that individuality should be celebrated. It highlights the idea that initial judgments or perceptions may not always be accurate, and it is important to look beyond appearances.
The Story of Ferdinand | Setting
“The Story of Ferdinand” primarily takes place in rural and urban settings, with a focus on the countryside of Spain and the city of Madrid. The story mainly revolves around two settings: the rural farm where Ferdinand grows up, and the urban bullring in Madrid where he is taken for the bullfight. The story provides a sense of contrast between the peaceful countryside and the bustling city. The rural setting of Ferdinand’s farm is portrayed in a simple and idyllic manner. The story presents the countryside as a place where Ferdinand can be himself and enjoy the pleasures of nature. The urban setting of the bullring in Madrid is also depicted, which is a place that Ferdinand cannot fit into.
The Story of Ferdinand | Illustrations
“The Story of Ferdinand” is a relatively classic story that primarily focuses on anthropomorphized bulls and their interactions. The story’s main emphasis is on conveying universal themes rather than exploring complex character dynamics or diverse cultural backgrounds. The characters in the story are bulls, which makes their representation more symbolic and relatable to readers. While the characters exhibit human-like emotions and behaviors, the primary goal is to tell a fable-like tale with a clear moral message. The illustrations by Robert Lawson in “The Story of Ferdinand” are known for their whimsical and charming style. They focus on bringing the characters to life and capturing their emotions. The illustrations are primarily in the format of whole-page images. These illustrations are known for their characteristic charisma and appeal that complements the story’s narrative.
The illustrations usually cover a whole page, providing a visual representation that corresponds to the story’s text on the page. This format allows the readers to fully immerse themselves in the scenes and emotions portrayed in the story. The illustrations effectively convey the mood of the story. For instance, when Ferdinand is in his peaceful setting under the cork tree, the illustrations reflect a serene and calm atmosphere. The illustrations capture the weather and actions of the characters, helping to bring the scenes to life. For example, the illustration with the Matador, Canderilleros and the Picadors emphasizes the chaotic setting.
The Story of Ferdinand | Audience
“The Story of Ferdinand” is generally considered age-appropriate for young readers. Its simple narrative and straightforward themes make it accessible to a wide range of ages, including preschoolers and early elementary school children. The story’s clarity and focus on Ferdinand’s character make it easy for children to grasp the main messages.
The story can encourage discussions, especially around themes such as individuality, nonviolence, and staying true to oneself. Teachers, parents, and caregivers can engage children in conversations about Ferdinand’s character, his choices, and the reactions of other characters. These discussions can help children reflect on their own beliefs and values. While the story primarily focuses on Ferdinand’s perspective and his unique traits, there is an opportunity for children to consider the perspectives of different characters. For instance, they can explore why the other bulls value aggression and bullfighting and contrast that with Ferdinand’s peaceful nature.
The illustrated short story based on Ferdinand, the bull, very creatively conveys an important message to the young ones. Despite his mother’s probing and the repeated violent behavior of other bulls, Ferdinand does not waver as far as his identity is concerned. Unfortunately, as fate would have it, he still finds himself in the bullfighting rink but without any desire to be there. The reactions of the crowd, the banderilleros, the picadors, and even the matador suggest that they consider Ferdinand to be a very ferocious bull which is an inaccurate judgment of who he is.
Ferdinand symbolizes the yearning for peace over the traditions and customs of Spanish society. The author cleverly uses an animal to convey such a deep and profound message to children who would find a flower-loving bull more endearing. The illustrations are essential in showcasing every scene of the story and help in keeping a child’s attention for a longer period.
