Storytelling Module 1: The Folk Tale

Objectives:

One morning in a frog village far far away.. similar to the Smurf's village, a group of young teenage frogs decided to go for a trip to the forest. Their frog parents wrapped them some food and water to bring because they anticipated it to be long. When they were all dressed up and ready, they kissed their parents goodbye and started to hop together into the forest. "hop hop hop and off we go!" singing!

 

They decided to go to the part of the forest that they are unfamiliar with. They were laughing and giggling as they hopped around the place. Until… "booooshhhh……(prolong)  takakakakakaka…. booooom!" Two of the teen frogs fell into a deep pit. "Are you alright guys?!" one of the frog friends asked. "Help help! (echo: help help help)" the two frogs shouted. "It's dark in here. (echo: it's dark in here here here here).

 

So the teen frogs looked for anything they can find to pull the frogs up. They found a rope.. threw the rope down. Yet it was too short. They found a log, bent the log down… yet it was too short. They found a piece of clothing, threw the cloth down.. yet it was too short. 

 

The 2 frogs at the pitt also tried so hard to jump as high as they can over and over again. Any technique they can think of… (1) jump, (2) run from a far distance then jump, (3) run from a far distance and stop on the other teen frog as he is being lifted up in the air by the other frog, (4) tried a higher jump using a pole like the Olympics… anything with no luck!

 

A quarter of an hour passed… 2 hours… 3 hours… none. The frogs began to cry but never gave up. 4 hours passed… Finally, it was getting dark. The 2 frogs and their friends were getting tired. 

 

The friends were getting upset too. "This is supposed to be a field trip! This is supposed to be fun! All we did was try to save these 2!!" "yeah!! I'm tired too. This should have been fun!", the other frog chimed in. The friends shouted to the 2 frogs. "The pit is too deep! You can never get out of it. You are as good as dead! Conserve your energy. Accept your fate."

 

The two frogs ignored the comments and tried so hard to jump up again with all their might! Their friends continued shouting at them. "The pit is too deep! You can never get out of it. You are as good as dead! Conserve your energy. Accept your fate!" This happens over and over again… "The pit is too deep! You can never get out of it. You are as good as dead! Conserve your energy. Accept your fate!" (repeat 2x)

 

Finally, one of the frogs took heed to what the other frogs were saying and gave up. He feel down and died. 

 

The 2nd frog, however, continued to push his limits. He jumped even harder and harder. Each try, a little higher and higher. His friends continue to say, "The pit is too deep! You can never get out of it. You are as good as dead! Conserve your energy. Accept your fate!" (repeat 2x)  Every time he hears this, he jumped even harder and harder. Each try, a little higher and higher. "The pitt is too deep! You can never get out of it. You are as good as dead! Conserve your energy. Accept your fate!"… humped harder and harder, higher and higher. Finally, the frog got out!! He feel down on the floor, tired, BUT very happy and relieved.

 

When he got out, his friends frog asked, "Did you not hear us?" The 2nd frog replied, "What did you say?". "Well we told you that.. "The pit is too deep! You can never get out of it. You are as good as dead! Conserve your energy. Accept your fate!" BUT every time we do that you push harder and harder and jump higher and higher. You never gave up!"… "Well you see..", the 2nd frog started to explain. "I was born half-deaf. I hear sounds but could not figure out what you said. I thought you were encouraging me the entire time. 

 

And so the frogs, prayed for their friend who didn't make it out the pit.. and then celebrated for their other friend who made it out. They hugged each other, ate their food, drank their water, and started to hop happily back to their frog village. (pause)

 

Ladies and gentlemen, what does this folktale teach us?

 

It teaches us 3 MAJOR lessons .

 

1. The Power of Life and Death in our Tongues. The power of life in tongue states that A destructive word to someone who is down can be what it takes to kill them.

2. The power of life in tongue states that An encouraging word to someone who is down can lift them up and help them make it through the day.

 

In our lives, we play different roles. We play the role of a mom, a wife, a friend, a sister, a daughter, a manager. Here is a poem I found online that I would like to share with you.

 

A careless word can kindle strife. 

A cruel word can wreck a life. 

A bitter word can hate instill. 

A brutal word can smite and kill. 

A gracious word can soothe the way. 

A joyous word can light the day. 

A timely word can lessen stress. 

A loving word can heal and bless.

 

Now let me ask you. What words come out from your mouth? Are these words life-giving? Are they destructive? 

 

3. The most important lesson is, Although hearing affirmation from someone is good, it is not necessary. WE have to believe in ourselves. WE have to learn how to bounce back!Lesson 3, if you ask? "Whether you think you can, or you think you can't.. Either way, you are right!" So always think I CAN!