The Story of Ferdinand

by Munro Leaf and illustrated by Robert Lawson

“The Story of Ferdinand” by Munro Leaf and illustrated by Robert Lawson. Published by Penguin. A story of a bull from the bullfighting region of Spain who physically appeared ferocious but was the exact opposite.

Ferdinand was a little bull who lived in Spain long ago. Unlike other bulls of his age who would run, jump and butt their heads together, Ferdinand chose to remain by himself. His favourite pastime was to sit under a cork tree in the pasture and smell the flowers. His mother was worried that he would be lonely and tried suggesting that he play with the other bulls. But he just wasn’t interested in what they did. So she let him be by himself being quite understanding and supportive.

Ferdinand did not change even when he grew up. He still liked to sit and smell flowers while the other bulls wanted to get into bullfighting which was a popular sport in Spain. One day, five men wearing funny hats came to pick the biggest and roughest bull to fight in the bull fights in Madrid. While all the bulls were busy snorting and butting around hoping that they would get picked, Ferdinand went to sit at his favourite spot in the pasture. He sat by mistake on a bumble bee which was on the flower and it stung him. He jumped up and ran around snorting and butting as if he were crazy. The five men saw him and instantly decided that he was the bull that was most suited for the bullfight.

What happened next? Did Ferdinand go with them? Could he take part in the bullfight? Would he change? Would he give up his favourite pastime? Read the delightful 86 year old classic to find out. The illustrations in black and white are so charming and bring the story to life.

My eight year old has loved this book from the time he was three. It has been one of his favourites and we have such lovely memories of reading this book. The book has inspired an animation movie too which we saw. But the book was way better than the movie for us. The message to be yourself  and not give into pressure is portrayed so beautifully. Also the mother being supportive and understanding of her child’s contentment was something we appreciated.

The book is considered to be the best known work by the American author. It was published in 1936 less than two months after the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War and seen as a pacifist book by supporters of Francisco Franco. It was banned in Spain and many other countries like Germany for this reason for a long time. During WWII, the pilots of British Air Transport Auxiliary started flying into Europe after D-day and used Ferdinand the Bull as their call sign. After Germany’s defeat in WWII, a whopping 30,000 copies of the book were published and given out free of cost to the German children.

Recommended Age

The book is apt for children aged 4/5 and above.

Reasons to Read

The story gives out the message that it is ok to be different from others and to follow one’s heart.