Publisher Story Summary:  Looking for a new pet? Bored with cats, dogs, goldfish, gerbils, and hamsters? How about a cheap rhinoceros? Shel Silverstein's loving look at the joys of rhino ownership may convince you to be the one lucky kid to take home this very, very unusual pet.

LESSON: WHO WANTS A CHEAP RHINOCEROUS?

Lesson Summary

A cheap rhinoceros is available for a house pet. Explore the many services a rhinoceros can provide around the house.

Concept: Goods and Services

Definition: Goods are tangible objects that satisfy people's wants. Services are actions, which also satisfy people's wants.

Comprehension Questions:

List the different services the rhinoceros could provide for you (the consumer).

holding hats making donuts scratching backs protecting you eating bad report cards bed warmer opening cans helping with knitting turning ropes plowing fields collecting extra allowance eating scraps playing battleship playing records providing a comfortable place to sit playing hide and seek

Identify a service the rhinoceros was not great at providing.
He was not great at opening doors.

What "good" did the rhinoceros become as he helped provide some of the services?
Lamp, record player, plow.

What service could you provide for the rhinoceros? (Hint: It's on a Sunday!)
On Sunday, you can read him the comics.

Based on the list of services the rhinoceros can provide, explain if buying the rhinoceros would be a good purchase.
Answers may vary.
Yes, because the "cheap" unusual pet provides many uses.
No, because my mother wouldn't like such a gigantic pet in the house!

Other Concepts: Economic Wants

  Goods and Services