The Land of the Polar Star



Edmund Dulac
Fairy-Land 1912

The Land of the Polar Star
from the book,The Star Fairies by Edith Ogden Harrison, 1903.

* Click on The Star Fairies hyperlink above and it will take you to the book and you may download it for free.

In days long gone by, in the most beautiful country in the world, a kind king and queen reigned. Their friend, the Fairy King, gave them a magnificent jewel, more precious than any other on earth. He warned them that no human should ever put a hand on it once it was placed on the roof of the palace treasury or they would all be banished from their kingdom forever.

The people of the kingdom carefully guarded the glistening gem but never touched it. The beautiful Queen Gertrude, however, trembled with excitement when she dreamt of the jewel shining in her lovely hair. Each night, as she gazed in her mirror, she thought, “No jewel is so beautiful as the Fairy King’s, and I am the most beautiful woman in the world. I should wear it!”

Soon her desire overwhelmed her. She snuck into the treasury house and crept up to the roof. As her hand grasped the jewel, terrible noises thundered around her and the palace shook. She dropped the jewel, but it was too late. The Fairy King appeared before her and roared: “This jewel is contentment—something that you will never have again! I shall hide it and for the rest of your life, you shall long for it, but never find it!”

Since his favorite daughter begged him to reconsider his harsh punishment, he gave her the jewel as a wedding present: “You cannot give it back to the mortals for at least a thousand years! If you do this before the time has expired, I condemn you and your new husband to fade away into moonshine and mist.”

The King and Queen and all their subjects wept as they left their beloved country to live in exile. The fairies wrapped the country in a glittering gossamer web of snow and ice. As the years went on, the mortals longed to return to their first home. Sailors set sail to recapture the city, but their ship stuck in the ice and could move no further. The men soon ran out of food and wasted away, close to death. The fairies took pity on them and lifted the ship up out of the ice and placed it in open water headed homeward.

Every year since then, generation after generation,ships have set sail seeking that wondrous land with its fabled treasure. None have ever found it. But the thousand years may soon expire, the ice and snow may melt away, and the brilliant jewel may once again pass from the fairies to more deserving mortals.

The picture above was one of the many illustrations Edmund Dulac painted for 'The Poetical Works of Edgar Allan Poe' in 1912. 

The Weight of a Snowflake

On December 10 the Nobel Peace Prize will be awarded. In honor of this day I offer you some stories, curriculum connections and crafts to share in the classroom and beyond.

The Weight of a Snowflake

"Tell me the weight of a snowflake." A mouse asked a wild dove.

"Nothing more than nothing," the dove answered.

"In that case I must tell you a marvelous story," the mouse said. "I sat on the branch of a fir, close to its trunk, when it began to snow,not heavily, not a raging blizzard, no just like in a dream without any violence. Since I had time, I counted the snowflakes setting on the twigs and needles of my branch. Their number was exactly 3,741,952, when the next snowflake dropped onto the branch- "nothing more than nothing" as you say-the branch broke off."

Having said that the mouse went away.

The dove, thought about the meaning of the story for a while and finally said to herself, "Perhaps there is only one person's voice lacking for peace to come about in this world."


MORE STORIES

Learning to Give - Stories, lesson plans and parent resources to involve students in philanthropy and serving their communities. http://www.learningtogive.org/

Peace Corp World Wise Schools – From Africa to the Pacific Islands, stories collected by Peace Corp volunteers around the world. http://tinyurl.com/ye5u3wf


CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS

Peace Corp World Wide Schools – Lessons plans to fit a variety of subjects from Grades 3 – 12.
http://tinyurl.com/c3ktlq

Anti-Bias Lesson Plans and Resources for K-12 Educators
A good place to start if you are planning a program or lesson on anti-bullying. Discussion guides, extension plans, statistics and an annotated bibliography of
children’s fiction. http://tinyurl.com/66kyjp

Race Bridges
The artists associated with this organization are accomplishing amazing work and offer free lesson plans and resources. Take a moment to cross the bridge and envision a brighter world!
http://www.racebridgesforschools.com/

Teaching Tolerance - Promoting Peace
This is a collection of resources I have gathered over the years.
http://www.storybug.net/links/peace.html

CRAFTS

Peace on Earth - Handprint Craft
http://tinyurl.com/yknakrv

Origami Peace Crane http://www.planetpals.com/IKC/peacecrane.html

Peace Lantern http://www.planetpals.com/IKC/peacelantern.html


"If we are to teach real peace in this world, and if we are to carry on a real war against war, we shall have to begin with the children." Mahatma Gandhi

The Best Wish - The Story of Three Brothers and an Angel

Pear Trees in Bloom at Eragny, Morning
Camille Pissarro, 1886

THE BEST WISH
The Story of Three Brothers and an Angel 

Czechoslovak Fairy Tales by Parker Fillmore, published 1921

There were once three brothers whose only possession was a pear tree. They took turns guarding it. That is to say while two of them went to work the third stayed at home to see that no harm came to the pear tree.

Now it happened that an Angel from heaven was sent down to test the hearts of the three brothers. The Angel took the form of a beggar and approaching the pear tree on a day when the oldest brother was guarding it, he held out his hand and said, "In heaven's name, brother, give me a ripe pear."

The oldest brother at once handed him a pear, saying,“ This one I can give you because it is mine, but none of the others because they belong to my brothers."
The Angel thanked him and departed.

The next day when the second brother was on guard he returned in the same guise and again begged the charity of a ripe pear. " Take this one," the second brother said. " It is mine and I can give it away. I can't give away any of the others because they belong to my brothers." The Angel thanked the second brother and departed.

The third day he had exactly the same experience with the youngest brother. On the following day the Angel, in the guise of a monk, came to the brothers' house very early while they were still all at home.

"My sons," he said, " come with me and perhaps I can find you something better to do than guard a single pear tree."

The brothers agreed and they all started out together. After walking some time they came to the banks of a broad deep river. "My son," the Angel said, addressing the oldest brother, " if I were to grant you one wish, what would you ask? "

"I'd be happy," the oldest brother said, " if all this water was turned into wine and belonged to me."

The Angel lifted his staff and made the sign of the cross and lo! the water became wine from great wine presses. At once numbers of casks appeared and men filling them and rolling them about. A huge industry sprang up with sheds and storehouses and wagons and men running hither and thither and addressing the oldest brother respectfully as "Master!"

"You have your wish," the Angel said. " See that you do not forget God's poor now that you are rich. Farewell."

So they left the oldest brother in the midst of his wine and went on farther until they came to a broad field where flocks of pigeons were feeding. "If I were to grant you one wish," the Angel said to the second brother, " what would you ask? "

"I'd be happy, father, if all the pigeons in this field were turned to sheep and belonged to me." The Angel lifted his staff, made the sign of the cross, and lo! the field was covered with sheep. Sheds appeared and houses and women, some of them milking the ewes and others skimming the milk and making cheeses. In one place men were busy preparing meat for the market and in another cleaning wool. And all of them as they came and went spoke respectfully to the second brother and called him, "Master!"

"You have your wish," the Angel said. " Stay here and enjoy prosperity and see that you do not forget God's poor!"

Then he and the youngest brother went on their way. "Now, my son," the Angel said, " you, too, may make one wish."

"I want but one thing, father. I pray heaven to grant me a truly pious wife. That is my only wish."

"A truly pious wife! " the Angel cried. "My boy, you have asked the hardest thing of all! Why, there are only three truly pious women in all the world! Two of them are already married and the third is a princess who is being sought in marriage at this very moment by two kings! However, your brothers have received their wishes and you must have yours, too. Let us go at once to the father of this virtuous princess and present your suit."

So just as they were they trudged to the city where the princess lived and presented themselves at the palace looking shabby and travel-stained. The king received them and when he heard their mission he looked at them in amazement.

"This makes three suitors for my daughter's hand! Two kings and now this young man all on the same day! How am I going to decide among them?"

"Let heaven decide! " the Angel said. " Cut three branches of grape-vine and let the princess mark each branch with the name of a different suitor. Then let her plant the three branches to-night in the garden and to-morrow do you give her in marriage to the man whose branch has blossomed during the night and by morning is covered with ripe clusters of grapes."

The king and the two other suitors agreed to this and the princess named and planted three branches of grapevine. In the morning two of the branches were bare and dry, but the third, the one which was marked with the name of the youngest brother, was covered with green leaves and ripe clusters of grapes. The king accepted heaven's ruling and at once led his daughter to church where he had her married to the stranger and sent her off with his blessing. The Angel led the young couple to a forest and left them there.

A year went by and the Angel was sent back to earth to see how the three brothers were faring. Assuming the form of an old beggar, he went to the oldest brother who was busy among his wine-presses and begged the charity of a cup of wine.

"Be off with you, you old vagabond!" the oldest brother shouted angrily. " If I gave a cup of wine to every beggar that comes along I'd soon be a beggar myself!"

The Angel lifted his staff, made the sign of the cross, and lo! the wine and all the winepresses disappeared and in their place flowed a broad deep river.

"In your prosperity you have forgotten God's poor," the Angel said. " Go back to your pear tree."

Then the Angel went to the second brother who was busy in his dairy. "Brother," the Angel said, " in heaven's name, I pray you, give me a morsel of cheese."

"A morsel of cheese, you lazy good-for-nothing!" the second brother cried. " Be off with you or I'll call the dogs!"

The Angel lifted his staff, made the sign of the cross, and lo! the sheep and the dairy and all the busy laborers disappeared and he and the second brother were standing there alone in a field where flocks of pigeons were
feeding.

"In your prosperity you have forgotten God's poor," the Angel said." Go back to your pear tree!" Then the Angel made his way to the forest where he had left the youngest brother and his wife. He found them in great poverty living in a mean little hut.

"God be with you! " said the Angel still in the guise of an old beggar. "I pray you in heaven's name give me shelter for the night and a bite of supper."

“We are poor ourselves," the youngest brother said. " But come in, you are welcome to share what we have."

They put the old beggar to rest at the most comfortable place beside the fire and the wife set three places for the evening meal. They were so poor that the loaf that was baking in the oven was not made of grain ground at the mill but of pounded bark gathered from the trees.

"Alas," the wife murmured to herself, " it shames me that we have no real bread to put before our guest."

Imagine then her surprise when she opened the oven and saw a browned loaf of wheaten bread. "God be praised! " she cried. She drew a pitcher of water at the spring but when she began pouring it into the cups she found to her joy that it was changed to wine.

"In your happiness," the Angel said, " you have not forgotten God's poor and God will reward you!"

He raised his staff, made the sign of the cross, and lo! the mean little hut disappeared and in its place arose a stately palace full of riches and beautiful things. Servants passed hither and thither and addressed the poor man respectfully as " My lord! " and his wife as " My lady!"

The old beggar arose and as he went he blessed them both, saying: " God gives you these riches and they will be yours to enjoy so long as you share them with others."

They must have remembered the Angel's words for all their lives long they were happy and prosperous.


An adapted version of this tale may be found in Stories of Hope and Spirit by Dan Keding.

The Silver Cones - A Christmas Tale

Photo by Karen Chace

THE SILVER CONES
Adapted from a story by
Johanna Spyri
Found in Educating by Storytelling Published in 1918

In the mountain land of Bohemia there lived in the long ago a miner with his wife and little daughter. They were happy in their hut in the forest, but after a time the father and mother died, and the child was left alone in the world. She had no money, and no aunts or cousins to take her in, and it seemed as if she would have to go hungry. But always there are kindly hearts among the poor, and one of the miners opened his house that she might have a home. He had six children of his own and little bread and meat to spare, but his good wife said, "We will divide what we have," So little Hilda became one of the family, and they grew to love her very much.

It was midwinter, and Christmas day not far away. The children thought of nothing but the coming of St. Nicholas, who they hoped would not forget them on the Holy Night, when every boy and girl in Bohemia expects a visit from the gift bringer. But when they spoke to the miner about it he shook his head and said, " Do not set your hearts upon his coming. Our hut is very small and stands so far in the forest that he may not be able to find it."

Gretchen, his little daughter, had a very different idea. She declared St. Nicholas could find a house in the dark if it were no bigger than an ant hill, and went to bed to dream of the toys and sweetmeats he would bring.

Day after day passed, and nearer, nearer came the season of Christ's birth. The children talked of him as they sat by the fire at night, as they picked up dead branches in the forest, and as they bedded the goats and shut them in, for Bohemian mountain folk are a toiling people, and even boys and girls must work.

At last the day before Christmas came, and in the afternoon little Hilda started out with her basket to get some cones. She wanted the fire to be brighter and more cheerful than ever that night, and perhaps if she met a servant from the castle, he might take some to feed the prince's fire, and give her a silver piece.

"And if he does," she thought as she trudged on her way, "I can buy something for the miner and his dear children."

Rübezahl

by

Moritz von Schwind, 1851

Now, in that land of Bohemia, on the summit of a lofty mountain, a creature named Riibezahl made his home. He possessed all magic powers, and was so mighty that his sway extended to the very center of the earth. There he had chambers of gold and silver, and diamonds and jewels without number, and often gave of his treasures to those who were good enough to deserve them. He could change himself at will into any form. Now he was a bat flying in the night, now a country swain selling his wares at the fair, and now a woodman cutting down trees in the forest, because thus he was able to find out who was worthy and who unworthy, and to reward or punish them as they deserved.

Hilda had often heard of the strange ways of Riibezahl, and wondered if he would ever cross her path.

"I suppose not," she murmured, "because I am just a little girl."

As she came near the fir trees, a tiny white-haired man walked out of the shadow. He had a long white beard and a jolly red face, and looted as if he were the friend of children.

"What are you doing?" he called to her.

"I've come to gather cones," she replied; "some for our fire and some to sell, if the servant from the castle will only buy."

Then she told him of the miner's family, of how eager she was to get some money that she might buy a gift for his children, and of her hope that St. Nicholas would not forget them on the Holy Night.

The little old man seemed much interested, and when she finished her story he said, "The largest cones are on that tree. If you hope to sell, gather the best ones."

He pointed to a great, dark fir just beyond them, and then went back into the shadows of the forest.

Little Hilda thanked him and ran to the spot. She could see the cones like beehives on the branches, and just as she came under them there was such a downfall of beautiful brown things it frightened her and she began to run. But thinking of what she could do with such big ones, she went back, filled her basket, and started homeward.

It was very heavy, and the farther she went the heavier it grew.

"I'll have to ask little Gretchen to help me take it up the hill path to the castle," she thought. But by the time she reached the hut it had become such a load she could not move it, and the miner had to carry it in himself.

"They are lovely big ones and of a beautiful brown color," she said as the children crowded around to see.

But when they looked at the basket again, they saw no brown at all. Instead there was a gleam brighter than that of the moonbeams through the fir trees, for a wonderful thing had happened. In the twinkling of an eye every one of those cones had turned into shining silver, which sparkled and glistened so that they dazzled the eyes.

Then the little girl remembered the old man in the forest and told the miner about him.

He nodded his head in a knowing way and said, “Surely it was Riibezahl, and he has rewarded you for being sweet and gentle."

All of which seemed like a dream to little Hilda, but when she looked into the basket she knew it was true. And so knew all the other mountain folk, when the stars of the Holy Night shone out and the children went from door to door distributing silver cones. The good folk who gave her a home received so many that never again were they poor. They built a fine house with a porch and twenty windows, and were as rich as anyone in Bohemia.

To make things lovelier still, St. Nicholas found the hut, just as Gretchen had said he would, and left some sweets and toys for the children. He laughed loud and long when he saw the shining cones, for he had heard all about it from Riibezahl himself.

Pronunciation - Riibezahl (re'be tsal)

For another story about Silver Pine Cones visit my friend Granny Sue's beautiful blog at http://tinyurl.com/ykgulqg

CRAFTS

When you are done reading bring the fun indoors with some easy pine cone crafts to entertain the children.

Pine Cone Tree
http://tinyurl.com/yzlnovc

Pine Cone Angel
https://www.firefliesandmudpies.com/pinecone-angels/

December Is...

DECEMBER
By Hal Borland

December is the year in age and wisdom, a woman with starlight in her frosted hair and a snowflake on her cheek and a sprig of holly on her coat. The light in her blue eyes is young as this morning and old as time. She has known youth and love and age and heartbreak, and she still can smile, knowing that life is not all of either. She is December, which is a kind of summation not only of the year but of all years' ending.

For December is bare trees and the evergreens, it is rustling weed stem in the ruthless wind and partridgeberry on the hillside. It is ground pine, older than the hills where it grows, and it is a seeding maple from two years ago clinging to one last scarlet leaf. It is a stiff-tailed young squirrel scrambling up an oak tree, and it is the masked coon in the moonlit cornfield, listening for the hounds. It is ice on the pond and lichen on the rock and a flock of chickadees in the pine thicket.

December is a blizzard in Wyoming and a gale on the Lakes and the Berkshires frosted like a plate of cupcakes. It's fir trees going to the cities by the truckload, and red ribbon by the mile and tinsel everywhere. It's so many days till You-Know-When. It's the Winter solstice and the shortest day, and it's a snow shovel and galoshes and a muffler around the neck. It's 30 below in Medicine Hat.

December is the hungry owl and the fugitive rabbit, the woodchuck abed and the crow all alone in the pasture. It's soup in the kettle and a log in the fireplace and long wool socks. It's a wind at the door and a whisper in the air and a hush on the evening when the carols are sung. It's the wonder and the glory, and the holidays.


Photo courtesy of http://www.weathernewengland.com

Celebrate All Year with the 2010 Story Café

Tis the season to be jolly and what could make you happier than a year filled with amazing opportunities to see some of the finest storytellers from near and far! The New Year is just around the corner so I am offering you a head start in filling up your shiny new 2010 calendars. Break out the pens and start writing, you won't want to miss a moment!



January starts us off on the right foot with
“HARDY LAUGHS AND HEARTY STORIES"
Featuring the Stand-Up Chameleon
Jackson Gillman
Saturday, January 2, 2010

Quick before those New Year’s resolutions are yesterday's news resolve to start the year with some "Hardy Laughs and Hearty Stories." Jackson Gillman of Onset, MA has stories that sparkle with energy, wit and whimsy. He has been Teller-in-Residence at the International Storytelling Center and featured at national festivals. Known for his eccentric comedy, Jackson also enjoys using the quirks and quiet in daily life for grist in his storytelling. You'll get a taste of both tonight as Jackson flashes back on the year, and life in general, regaling us with his perceptions, astute and askew. And when all is said and sung, it is apparent that there is an underlying foundation of beneficence, hope and spirit infusing all of his work.

“A zany kind of comic mutant” - Maine Public Broadcasting

“…a masterly storyteller. Compelling…” – Christian Science Monitor

“…All in all, the incredible scope of Gillman’s talents, his love of the natural world and the warmth of his relationship with the audience make an event with Jackson well worth while.” - Bar Harbor Times

Come to the city early, stroll the beautiful historic district and catch dinner at one of the local restaurants withing walking distance of Artworks. There is so much to do and see. http://www.newbedford-ma.gov/index.html

ADDITIONAL 2010 FEATURED PERFORMERS

February 13, 2010 - Leeny Del Seamonds - Massachusetts
March 6, 2010 - Marni Gillard - New York
April 10, 2010 - Michael Parent – Maine - This will be a fundraiser for ArtWorks/Story Cafe thanks to Michael's generosity. Tickets required
May 15, 2010 - Joanne Piazzi - New Hampshire
June 26, 2010 - Eshu Bumpus and Motoko - Massachusetts
July 24, 2010 - Katie Green - Massachusetts
August 21, 2010 - Bob Reiser - Massachusetts and Clare Vadeboncoeur - Rhode Island
September 18, 2010 - Dale Jarvis - Newfoundland
October 16, 2010 - Tim Van Egmond - Massachusetts
November/December 2010 - No Story Café

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW AND THEN SOME!

ADULT OPEN MIC: Sign up for your eight minute turn at the mic beginning at 7:00 p.m. Share your own story, song, music, essay or poem. Feature begins at 8:00 p.m.
LOCATION: Artworks, 384 Acushnet Avenue, New Bedford, MA
TIME: 7:00 P.M. – 9:00 P.M. (Feature begins at 8:00 P.M.)
ADMISSION: FREE (pass the hat for the featured performer)
AUDIENCE: 18 and older
For more information email Karen Chace at storybug@aol.com  or call Artworks at(508) 984-1588
DIRECTIONS: http://www.artworksforyou.org/hours.html

Put Some Pizzazz in Your Presentations!

Cartoon courtesy of http://blog.falcon-software.com/page/2/

"The human brain starts working the moment you are born and never stops until you stand up to speak in public." George Jessel

Many storytellers also present workshops at conferences and schools around the country. While our presentations are interactive, there are times when we must and should take the opportunity to use available technology; it may further define our message and make the information easier for your audience to digest.

The next time you want to add a bit of techno-magic to your tales here are some sites I researched to help put some pizazz into your presentation. When you are ready to present, remember, it's EASY!

Eye contact
Attitude
Smile
You are the expert!

Beyond Bullet Points  – Telling a story with your presentation.
http://tinyurl.com/ygurlqs
The Business of Storytelling
http://sparksheet.com/the-business-of-storytelling/
How to Present with PowerPointhttp://tinyurl.com/yz26m6l

Choosing Colors for Your Presentation Slides
http://tinyurl.com/yey58tz

Choose the Right Colors in PowerPoint
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/powerpoint-help/choose-the-right-colors-for-your-powerpoint-presentation-HA001012072.aspx

What Are The Best Fonts for Making PowerPoint Presentation
The article is also accompanied by an excellent video presentation.
http://tinyurl.com/6ymrck

Relaxation Information - Included is an audio guide you through some relaxation exercises. http://tinyurl.com/y9d2qbe


Just as there are many ways to give presentations, there are different styles of storytelling. Here are a few sites on combining the power of Oral Tradition with the digital era.

Center for Digital Storytelling
This California arts organization assists “young people and adults in using the tools of digital media to craft, record, and share the stories of individuals and communities, in ways that improve all our lives.” http://www.storycenter.org/

Do History
From Harvard University, a virtual how to on piecing together fragments of the past using primary resources; step-by-step guidelines are also provided.
http://dohistory.org/home.html

DigiTales
Information and resources, everything you need to help students craft a digital story.
http://www.digitales.us/

Educational Uses of Digital Storytelling
Examples, tools, evaluations and more.
http://digitalstorytelling.coe.uh.edu/

History Matters
Designed for high school and college teachers, and students it serves as a gateway to web resources offering materials, first-person primary documents, and guides to analyzing historical evidence. An extra bonus is a host of resources to assist you in completing your own oral history project. http://historymatters.gmu.edu/mse/oral/online.html. For the main site go to: http://historymatters.gmu.edu/

In The First Person
Over 2,500 collections of oral history from around the world: personal narratives, letters, diaries, memoirs, autobiographies, and oral histories; a goldmine of information.
http://www.inthefirstperson.com/firp/index.aspx

Lesson Plans for Digital Storytelling
A step by step guide, rubrics and additional resources.
http://tinyurl.com/3rv6uf

Oral History Resources
My personal collection of websites gathered over the years.
http://www.storybug.net/links/oralhistory.html

Oral Tradition Journal
A fabulous resource you will return to again and again. The Center for Studies in Oral Tradition at the University of Missouri has generously placed twenty-two years of their journal online. The site contains nearly 500 articles and 10,000 pages with the contents downloadable as pdf files. The site is also searchable by keyword or author name.
http://journal.oraltradition.org/

Schrockguilde.net – Digital Storytelling Meets the Common Core
http://www.schrockguide.net/digital-storytelling.html

Using Technology to Tell Stories
Create your own digital storytelling project. The site includes a step by step guide, examples of digital storytelling, rubrics assessment, lesson plans and additional web links. In no time at all you will be saying, “It’s a wrap!”
http://techstories.edublogs.org/ 

Karen Chace ©

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.