Crossing Over Into the New Year: Bridges in Folktales, Myths, and Legends

The Ponte Salario (The Old Bridge)
by
Hubert Robert, 1775

Soon the New Year will be here, a time to reflect on the past, rejoice in the future, and remember those who helped us along the way. I hope 2020 will find us all smiling more, laughing longer, and building bridges that will bring us all closer together. 

Wishing you the warmth of friends and family as we ring in a brand new decade full of positive possibilities!

STORIES

The Bloody Bridge – United States

http://www.ghostsofohio.org/lore/ohio_lore_7.html

The Bridge of the Gods – Native American

http://www.firstpeople.us/FP-Html-Legends/The_Bridge_Of_The_Gods-Unknown.html

The Devil’s Bridge – Twelve versions from around the world.
http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/type1191.html

Haunted Covered Bridges and Their Legends

http://decktheholidays.blogspot.com/2010/10/haunted-covered-bridges-and-their.html

The Legend of the Magpie Bridge – China
http://www.novareinna.com/festive/valmagpie.html

My Lord Bag of Rice - Japan

https://etc.usf.edu/lit2go/72/japanese-fairy-tales/4846/my-lord-bag-of-rice/

The Old Bridge – United States

http://americanfolklore.net/folklore/2011/09/the_old_bridge.html

Old Joe and the Carpenter – United States
https://www.tolerance.org/classroom-resources/texts/old-joe-and-the-carpenter-an-appalachian-tale-of-building-bridges

Orosu – Japan
http://spiritoftrees.org/orosu

The Pedlar of Swaffham - England

http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/eng/meft/meft21.htm

The Rainbow Bridge - Greece

https://www.gutenberg.org/files/38412/38412-h/38412-h.htm#THE_RAINBOW_BRIDGE

Sach’s Bridge – United States
http://americanfolklore.net/folklore/2008/08/sachs_bridge.html

Three Billy Goats Gruff – Various versions from around the world.
http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/type0122e.html

BOOKS

15 Adorable Children’s Books for Your Little Architects

https://www.buzzfeed.com/mackenziekruvant/childrens-books-for-architects

Children’s Books About Bridges
https://sccl.bibliocommons.com/list/share/102896735/619692717

CRAFTS

Building Bridges Engineering Activity - PreK

https://www.pre-kpages.com/building-bridges-engineering-activity/

Suspension Bridge

https://www.crayola.com/crafts/suspension-bridge-craft/

CURRICULUM

The Three Billy Goats Gruff Steam Bridge Building Activity

https://alittlepinchofperfect.com/the-three-billy-goats-gruff-steam-bridge-building-activity-for-kids/

SOMETHING EXTRA

Terri Windling – Troll Maidens and the Magic of Bridges

https://www.terriwindling.com/blog/2016/04/troll-maidens-and-the-magic-of-bridges.html

“So the bridge was mended and my story's ended.”

From Lady Featherflight in TheOak-Tree Fairy Book

Please note, websites change at a rapid pace and weblinks may change or break without notice. I cannot be responsible for redirected or broken links.  At the time of this posting all links were in working order. Thank you for understanding.

Karen Chace 2019 ©

This blog post was researched and compiled by Karen Chace. Permission for private use is granted. Distribution, either electronically or on paper is prohibited without my expressed written permission. For permission please contact me at storybug@aol.com. Of course, if you wish to link to my blog via your website, blog, newsletter, Facebook page or Twitter please feel free to do so; I greatly appreciate your support and personal integrity.

Toss Your Tale

A Game of Dice
by
William Joseph Shayer 1787-1879

I am always looking for new ways to help my storytelling students with their performance skills. This year I have quite a few students who speak very softly when sharing their stories. Of course we practice how to use a microphone but I always discuss that the microphone is there to assist them, not do the work for them. 

Recently, some of the students told their stories during class and I realized this would create a problem when they were telling from the stage. I improvised a game that day and asked for a volunteer to demonstrate the new activity. It was fitting that the child who volunteered is one of the quieter students. I happened to have a large, foam dice (found at the Dollar Store) in my rolling classroom (suitcase) that day and the new game Toss Your Tale was born.

Directions:

• A student stands at one end of the room. The teacher stands at the other end. Make sure there is a good distance between you and the student.
• The student tosses the dice as far as they choose and the teacher moves to that spot. (Interestingly, none of the students chose to throw it softly so it landed close to them but rather threw it as far as possible.)
• The number rolled on the dice corresponds to what they will do, making sure their voice carries enough (without shouting) so the teacher can hear exactly what they are saying.
• The teacher repeats what they have said to demonstrate that they have heard the student clearly.

Dice numbers:

1. Share one line of story dialogue using the emotion you give them. For example, they may have to speak as if they are mad, happy, bored, frustrated, angry, etc.
2. Describe a character from your story.
3. Share something that is happening in the middle of your story.
4. Tell the end of your story.
5. Describe something from your story using one of your five senses: taste, touch, hearing, seeing, smell,
6. Describe a gesture from your story, demonstrating and exaggerating it.

Of course, you may change the choices for each number if you choose. If you have a large enough space, for example, if you have access to an auditorium, you could also play this game by breaking up the students into pairs. Each pair has one dice and the set of corresponding numbers above. All pairs play the game simultaneously; switching partners so each student has a chance to play the game,

The students enjoyed this game and everyone was able to use their voice effectively. A lovely side effect of this game was that the children instinctively added body language, facial expressions, and gestures, regardless of what number came up on the dice. It is my hope that the skill will carry through the next time we practice their stories.

The link below will lead you to another interactive game I invented for my students where I also use a foam dice.

Dicing Up Your Story
https://karenchace.blogspot.com/2014/11/dicing-up-your-story-new-storytelling.html

These games are free for you to use in your work. However, I do ask that you respect copyright and offer attribution.

You can find additional original interactive activities and worksheets in my book Story by Story: Creating a Student Storytelling Troupe.

Please note, websites change at a rapid pace and web links may change or  break without notice. I cannot be responsible for redirected or broken links.  At the time of this posting all links were in working order. Thank you for understanding.

  

Karen Chace 2019 ©

This blog post was researched and compiled by Karen Chace. Permission for private use is granted. Distribution, either electronically or on paper is prohibited without my expressed written permission. For permission please contact me at storybug@aol.com. Of course, if you wish to link to my blog via your website, blog, newsletter, Facebook page or Twitter please feel free to do so; I greatly appreciate your support and personal integrity.

Cooking Up Stories: Herbs and Spices in Folklore, Myth, and Legend

A Dinner of Herbs
by
George W. Joy
1844-1925

While National  Herb and Spices Day isn’t until June 10 the holiday season finds many of us baking and cooking up a storm. I thought I would share some of these tales now in case you want a taste of some stories to spice up your winter repertories.

Happy holidays one and all! May you be surrounded by those you love and those who love you.

STORIES

The Discovery of Salt – China

http://soupsong.com/fsalt.html

The Dreammaker – Scotland

http://www.katarina-dejan.com/hbd-folk-tales

Epsen Ashlad and Redfoks – Norway

http://oaks.nvg.org/ntales52.html

The Gingerbread Man - England
http://theperfectgingerbreadman.blogspot.com/2010/10/original-gingerbread-man-story.html

Giufa’s Judgement – Italy
https://www.uexpress.com/tell-me-a-story/2011/3/27/giufas-judgment-an-italian-folktale

King’s for Breakfast! - Hindu

http://www.aaronshep.com/stories/004.html

Legend of the Sage Plant
http://www.worldofchristmas.net/christmas-stories/legend-of-sage-plant.html

Lion Who Took Woman’s Shape – South Africa
http://www.sacred-texts.com/afr/saft/sft39.htm

Love Like Salt – Fourteen versions from around the world.

https://www.pitt.edu/~dash/salt.html

The Maiden Who Loved a Star – Native American
http://www.sacred-texts.com/nam/se/wsgr/wsgr20.htm

Redfox and Askeladden – Norway (An adapted version of Epsen Ashlad and Redfoks)

https://norwegianfolktales.blogspot.com/2017/05/redfox-and-askeladden.html

Salt - Russia

https://www.worldoftales.com/European_folktales/Russian_Folktale_37.html

The Turtle and the Lizard - Philippines

http://www.sacred-texts.com/asia/pft/pft22.htm

Why Dogs Sniff - Portugal

https://www.worldoftales.com/European_folktales/Portuguese_folktale_3.html

CRAFTS

5 DIY Decorating Ideas to Deck the Halls (with Herbs!)

https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/winter-decorating-5-easy-beautiful-decorations-to-make-with-herbs-spices

Cinnamon-n-Spice Ornaments Herbal Style

http://mamarosemary.com/blog/2012/12/22/cinnamon-n-spice-ornaments-herb-style

Cinnamon-n-Spice Ornaments Craft Style

http://mamarosemary.com/blog/2012/12/14/cinnamon-n-spice-ornaments-craft-style

Herbal Play Dough

http://mamarosemary.com/blog/2011/10/15/aromatic-playdough

RECIPES

Recipes with Spices and Herbs

https://www.savoryspiceshop.com/recipes

A Taste of Home: 57 Recipes with Fresh Herbs

https://www.tasteofhome.com/collection/recipes-with-fresh-herbs/

SOMETHING EXTRA

Granny Sue’s News and Reviews Herbal Legend and Lore: Rosemary, Sage, Fennel and Marjoram

https://grannysu.blogspot.com/2016/05/herbal-legend-and-lore-rosemary-sage.html

Herb Facts for Kids

https://www.scienceforkidsclub.com/herbs.html

Herbal Folktales for Fall – This blog has wonderful information about herbs that would be delightful, educational additions to herbal stories in your repertoire.
https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/herbal-folktales

Herbs in Mythology
http://www.herbsociety-stu.org/herbs-in-mythology.html

Into the Woods: The Folklore of Food by Terri Windling
http://www.terriwindling.com/blog/2014/12/the-folklore-of-food.html

Please note, websites change at a rapid pace and weblinks may change or break without notice. I cannot be responsible for redirected or broken links.  At the time of this posting all links were in working order. Thank you for understanding.

Karen Chace 2019 ©

This blog post was researched and compiled by Karen Chace. Permission for private use is granted. Distribution, either electronically or on paper is prohibited without my expressed written permission. For permission please contact me at storybug@aol.com. Of course, if you wish to link to my blog via your website, blog, newsletter, Facebook page or Twitter please feel free to do so; I greatly appreciate your support and personal integrity.

Chinese New Year 2020: The Year of the Rat

The Chinese New Year of 2020 falls on January 25th and the festival will last to February 8^th. According to the Chinese zodiac 2020 is a Year of the Rat.

• The rat is the 1st animal in the Chinese Zodiac, an every 12th Chinese new year heralds the start of another year named for this clever animal.
• It has characteristics of an animal with spirit, wit, alertness, delicacy, flexibility and vitality. In Chinese culture, rats were seen as a sign of wealth and surplus. Because of their reproduction rate, married couples also prayed to them for children
• People born in the year of the rat are thought to be generous witty, alert, and flexible. On the other hand, they are also thought to be a bit stubborn and picky.
• The recommended occupations for rats are artist, author, teacher and doctor.

The above information is shared from the following websites:

https://secretserendipity.com/the-year-of-the-rat-2020-chineseastrology
https://holidappy.com/holidays/Printable-Coloring-Pages-for-Year-of-the-Rat-Kid-Crafts-for-Chinese-New-Year

https://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/social_customs/zodiac/rat/jobs.htm

A well-known legend or origin of the Chinese Zodiac tells the tale of the Jade Emperor who invited the entire animal kingdom to take part in a race. The first 12 animals to cross the river would be assigned a year of the Chinese Zodiac system.

All of the animals were very excited and the news spread quickly. On the day of the race all of the animals gathered at the river and rat won the race. You see, although he was the smallest animal he used his bran and played a little trick! To read the rest of the story click the link below:

https://www.hutong-school.com/origin-chinese-zodiac-why-cats-and-rats-are-sworn-enemies

STORIES

The Cat and the Old Rat – Aesop
http://whisperingbooks.com/Show_Page/?book=Aesops_Fables&story=Cat_And_Old_Rat

The Monkey with the Tom –Tom – Southern India
https://www.pitt.edu/~dash/type0170a.html#kingscote

The Pied Piper of Hamelin - Germany

https://shortstoriesshort.com/story/pied-piper-of-hamelin/ 

You will find another version here:  
https://ofpanthers.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/The-Pied-   Piper-of-Hamelin.pdf

And the poem written by Robert Browning with gorgeous illustrations here.
https://archive.org/details/piedpiperofhamel00brownyctest2

Rat Hall – Scotland
https://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/celt/sfft/sfft83.htm

The Rat Princess - Japan

https://etc.usf.edu/lit2go/134/stories-from-around-the-world/5100/the-rat-princess/

The Rats and Their Daughter - Japan

https://www.pitt.edu/~dash/type2031c.html#japan

The Rat’s Wedding – Northern India
https://www.pitt.edu/~dash/type0170a.html#steel 

The Story of a Monkey – Philippines
https://www.pitt.edu/~dash/type0170a.html#cole

The Story of the Rat and Her Journey to God – Romania

https://www.pitt.edu/~dash/type2031c.html#romania

Why the Rat Kills Cats – Nigeria
https://www.worldoftales.com/African_folktales/Nigerian_folktale_18.html

Why the Woman and Rat Came to Stay in the Same House - Sudan
http://www.southsudanesefolktales.org/?project=how-the-woman-and-the-rat-came-to-stay-in-the-same-house

BOOKS

Gift of Curiosity – Books About the Chinese New Year for Kids

https://www.giftofcuriosity.com/books-about-chinese-new-year-for-kids/

CRAFTS AND ACTIVITIES

Education.com – Make a Chinese Zodiac Mask: Year of the Rat

https://www.education.com/worksheet/article/chinese-zodiac-mask-rat/

Enchanted Learning – Crafts and Activities for the Chinese New Year

https://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/chinesenewyear/

First Palette – Chinese Paper Lanterns

https://www.firstpalette.com/craft/paper-lantern.html

Make an Origami Rat

https://www.origami-resource-center.com/chinese-zodiac.html#rat

Printable Coloring Pages: Year of the Rat

https://holidappy.com/holidays/Printable-Coloring-Pages-for-Year-of-the-Rat-Kid-Crafts-for-Chinese-New-Year

FOOD

Food Network – Chinese New Year Recipes

https://www.foodnetwork.com/topics/chinese-new-year

SOMETHING EXTRA

Chinese New Year Taboos

https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/festivals/chinese-new-year-taboos.htm

Please note, websites change at a rapid pace and weblinks may change or break without notice. I cannot be responsible for redirected or broken links.  At the time of this posting all links were in working order. Thank you for understanding.

Karen Chace 2019 ©

This blog post was researched and compiled by Karen Chace. Permission for private use is granted. Distribution, either electronically or on paper is prohibited without my expressed written permission. For permission please contact me at storybug@aol.com. Of course, if you wish to link to my blog via your website, blog, newsletter, Facebook page or Twitter please feel free to do so; I greatly appreciate your support and personal integrity.

World Kindness Day

Reine Lefebre and Margot before a Window
by Mary Cassatt, 1902

"Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see." ~ Mark Twain 

I know I am a few days late but truly, it's never too late to be kind. November 13 is World Kindness Day. Spread some kindness with these lovely tales?



STORIES

The Best Wish - Serbia

https://fairytalez.com/the-best-wish-the-story-of-three-brothers-and-an-angel/

The Crystal Heart – Vietnam

https://tinyurl.com/qaxcooh

Evil Allures But Good Endures – Russia

https://tinyurl.com/y5oyrrs9

The Fairy Shilling – Ireland

https://tinyurl.com/y6t556qc

Great Joy the Ox – India

https://tinyurl.com/y57uzj9y

How the Kangaroo Got Her Pouch – Australia
https://www.learningtogive.org/resources/how-kangaroo-got-her-pouch-0

Lord of the Cranes - China
https://www.learningtogive.org/resources/lord-cranes

Native American Stories About Kindness to Animals
https://www.native-languages.org/kindness-animals.htm

Old Woman Who Was Kind to Insects – Inuit/Native American
https://tinyurl.com/y35xeam3

The Princess Mouse – Finland

https://tinyurl.com/o2y4qss

Selekana and the River God – South Africa
https://www.learningtogive.org/resources/selekana-and-river-god

The Two Jeebi-ug or a Trial of Feeling – Native American/Ojibwa

https://www.learningtogive.org/resources/two-jeebi-ug-or-trial-feeling-ojibwa

BOOKS

Folktales for a Better World: Stories of Peace and Kindness - Seven stories celebrating peace, kindness, and forgiveness from seven countries that have all suffered from wars and conflicts in recent times told by an award-winning author.
https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/61397368

Kindness Tales: World Folktales to Talk About by Margaret Read MacDonald. “Kindness Tales contains more than forty folktales that illustrate the transformative power of kindness through leading, sharing and caring for one another. These stories share a common theme of using thoughtful and sometimes generous acts of kindness to make the world better.” You can’t go wrong with any collection of stories by this esteemed author.
https://www.cedarwoodschool.org/bookshop-2/kindness-tales-world-folktales-to-talk-about

Thirty-five Children's Books That Teach Empathy and Kindness
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/childrens-books-empathy-kindness_l_5d52e7b1e4b0c63bcbee2699


CRAFTS

55 + Kindness Activities for Kids
https://kidsactivitiesblog.com/68659/55-kindness-activities-kids/

Teach Kids Kindness with Crafts
https://www.craftfoxes.com/blog/kindness-crafts

CURRICULUM

Helpful Animals and Compassionate Humans in Folklore – “Through examining several examples of helpful animal tales from around the world, students will learn about humans living in cooperation with the land and sea and with the beasts that inhabit them. In many helpful animal tales, the animal only offers its aid in return for a kindness done by or promised by a human.” Resources for K-5.
https://edsitement.neh.gov/lesson-plans/helpful-animals-and-compassionate-humans-folklore

Random Acts of Kindness Foundation – From PreK – High School there is curriculum for every grade level, including posters for your school, information on how to start a Kindness Club, and so much more. Be sure to bookmark this site!
https://www.randomactsofkindness.org/for-educators

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Storytelling and Empathy - My previous blog post from my National Storytelling Magazine column.
http://karenchace.blogspot.com/2019/08/stor-e-telling-fall-2018-storytelling.html

 

 

Please note, websites change at a rapid pace and weblinks may change or break without notice. I cannot be responsible for redirected or broken links. At the time of this posting all links were in working order. Thank you for understanding.

 

Karen Chace 2023 ©

This blog post was researched and compiled by Karen Chace. Permission for private use is granted. Distribution, either electronically or on paper is prohibited without my expressed written permission. For permission, please contact me at storybug@aol.com. Of course, if you wish to link to my blog via your website, blog, newsletter, Facebook page or Twitter please feel free to do so; I appreciate your support and personal integrity.