Page 39 - Too Smart Dog

Worksheet
In this last worksheet page of the story, Cosmos points out that the Too Smart Dog “Evaluated” the situation and then decided what he should do regarding the robber. In the fable, based on the information he had available, his best action was... no action. But his behavior might (and probably would have) been considerably different if the circumstances had been different. If there had been the possibility of someone getting hurt for instance.
In the questions, the children need to understand that the Too Smart Dog used Good Thinking. But that does not mean that he was not frightened. It does not even mean that he did not contemplate charging out from under the furniture, attacking the robber so he could be the hero. But after considering everything, he chose what he thought was the best plan and stayed with it even if he knew that others (the lord) would be angry with him.
It is important that your children grasp the importance of questions two and three. We all develop habits. This is true about our thinking as well as everything else. If you practice Good Thinking (as the dog in the fable), it will eventually come naturally in a variety of situations. Consequently, your emotions will be OK and your behavior will be Thumbs Up in a variety of situations. This will give you the confidence to be strong and consistent and to be seen as someone with “Character.”
1. In our story, the dog was confronted with a specific situation (a thief) but what about all those many other less exciting situations, what type of thinking did he use at those times.
Good Thinking
2. Most things in life become habits. If you get into the habit of using Good Thinking, what type of emotions will you have most of the time?
OK emotions
3. If you think and feel like “Too Smart Dog” most of the time, what type of behavior will you have most of time?
Thumbs Up behaviors
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