• "Spider and the Palm Nut Trees"  from the African Dan tribe   When the chief puts an injunction against tapping palm nut trees in place to protect this important resource, Spider pretends to agree to the new rule but decides to continue tapping. The trees take their revenge and to escape Spider agrees to give up tapping. Since then no spider has drunk the sticky sap of the palm nut tree.
  I use this story to discuss respecting authority, following rules, protecting a community's resources, and the problem with thinking that as long as most people follow the rules, my bad choice won't really have a big impact. Lots of opportunity to discuss environmental citizenship too.

• 
   "Slops"  Margaret Read MacDonald has a picture book version
  An old couple discover that their slops have been flooding the wee home of a couple of good folk. They use the last of their money to come up with a remedy and are rewarded by the fairies.
  I use this story to talk about being a good neighbor and taking others' needs into consideration. We link that to being a good classmate.
   

• "Gecko Cannot Sleep"  in   Margaret Read MacDonald's "Earth Care"  I believe and her picture book version
  Gecko complains to the chief about the fireflies' flashing and the chief uncovers a chain of cause and effect.
  The fireflies, buffalo, and the rain are all doing something to solve a problem they see in their environment. Gecko, by contrast, only complains. You can also debate with children whether or not the chief was a good leader.

Renée Englot

Marilyn:  Re "Gecko Cannot Sleep" and citizenship, when I tell this story, I have the king actually say to the fireflies, water buffalo and rain, "That's very civic-minded of you!" or "That's very public spirited of you."  Funny I hadn't thought of it as a "citizenship story" until Renee mentioned it  Mary Grace Ketner

What about the Legend of the Bluebonnets   That's all about doing something for the tribe.

 
Veronica Gard

This suggestion reminded me of the story I tell called  The Legend of the Piasa  A group of men from various Illinois tribes come together, risking their lives for others, to get rid of the Piasa.  Other stories along those lines of an animal/person helping for the greater good of society, while putting themselves at risk, include Coyote Brings the Light , The Magic Paint Brush, and Grandmother Spider Brings the Light -Marilyn Kinsella

The Mosquito Extermination Project - A folktale from India

NON-FICTION

On the Giraffe Heroes website http://www.giraffe.org/ you can find many examples of real people who rallied fellow citizens to clean up their local environment, fight bullying, start services for needy groups, etc. 

Fran Stallings

Story of Nathan Hale: "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country" 

Carolyn Stearns