Sad stories please
Yesterday at St Francis of Assisi Primary School in West London, the 11 year-olds all wanted ‘a sad story’. I told them The Magic Tapestry and one boy commented when it was over, ‘I liked that story because it was unusual and very interesting’. I was touched by his comment. Whenever I have that kind of experience – deep listening, spontaneous clapping, thoughtful interest in the story and great appreciation of my various props – I wish there was more emphasis generally on oral storytelling for this age-group. But all the sessions from Nursery upwards were fun. Everyone loved my Magic Music. Thank you, St Francis, for a wonderful day. It was fun being with you in costume mode with so many people, staff and children, dressed up as ‘characters’ from stories. I was struck by the variety of pictures and artefacts displayed around the school. I particularly liked the life-size horse, so real-looking I felt I could gallop away on its back.