In a recent newsletter article, I wrote of the value of the
pedagogical tale. Throughout time
stories have had immeasurable cultural value that moved beyond simple
entertainment. Human history has been
chronicled through the oral tradition.
The archetypes found in ancient tales are an expression of our inner
life as well as an articulation of our worldly experiences. It is no wonder that psychologists and
anthropologists take a special interest in storytelling and the oral
tradition. It makes sense that humans
have used stories to teach each other about the joys and perils that lay beyond
the village gates.
At LifeWays, story time is a time for bonding and sharing in
the artistry and wisdom of this ancient tradition. Pedagogically, we can use stories and verses
to promote language development, guide behavior, offer an explanation and mark
a transition. As I was preparing to move
from the suite and introduce Miss Belinda to the children, I told a rendition
of the story Queen Mary and the Children
of the Cedar Castle at nap time for many days. This story is similar to the
one I tell in August in anticipation of some children leaving LifeWays to begin
school. It is full of familiar landmarks
and scenery to spark their imaginations and set the scene for this tale of
imminent change.
Queen Mary and the Children of the Cedar Castle
By Miss Jaimmie
Once upon a time, there lived a wise and benevolent
queen. Her name was Queen Mary. Queen Mary was known throughout the kingdom
for her kindness and compassion and her love of little children. Children adored her and followed her wherever
she roamed. The Queen thought it would
be lovely to have a castle to share with the children she cared for so
dearly. So, she went on a quest, in
search of the perfect castle for children.
She walked through the village to the edge of the Enchanted Wood. And there she saw a beautiful castle made all
out of cedar. In front of the castle lay
the village and just beyond the castle stood the Enchanted Wood. Queen Mary’s heart filled with joy. The Cedar Castle was the perfect place for
children to play and grow together.
So the
Queen invited the children of the village to join her in the Cedar Castle. She also invited Lords and Ladies to come and
help her care for the children. They all
spent many days and weeks together in the Cedar Castle. They played together and they worked
together. They ate together and they
rested together. Many stories were told
and many songs were sung. Many hours
were spent exploring the Enchanted Wood.
Butterflies and snakes, birds and squirrels, fairies and spiders, deer
and turkeys were among the children’s forest friends. The seasons brought many new and interesting
things for the children to explore. From
snowflakes to scilla, the enchanted forest was full of beauty and wonder. And so, the weeks and months and years
passed, and the Cedar Castle and enchanted forest were filled with joy and
love.
One fine day, Queen Mary went for a stroll in the Enchanted
Wood. She walked further into the wood
than she had ever walked before. She
walked through the Clearing and beyond the Story Rock. She walked down the crookedy stairs and along
the riverside. On and on she walked,
beyond the Troll Bridge and the Jasper House.
On and on and on she walked.
Beyond the Quartz Mountain that is the heart of the Enchanted Wood. She walked and she walked until she came to
place she had never seen before. It was
a beautiful meadow full of colorful butterflies and fragrant flowers. Queen Mary stood in the meadow and closed her
eyes. She smelled the sweet, fragrant
flowers and heard the bees buzzing all around her. She heard the river flowing. She felt the
wind blowing and the warm sun shining on her face.
When the Queen opened her eyes, she saw a most unusual
sight. A beautiful rainbow arced across
the blue sky and landed at her feet.
Mary felt compelled to climb the rainbow, and so she did. And when she reached the top, she was amazed
at all she saw. She could see the wide
Enchanted Wood, the Flowing River and the Quartz Mountain. She could see the
Jasper House and the Troll Bridge, the crookedy stairs, Story Rock and the
Clearing. She could see the Cedar Castle
and the village beyond. And when she
looked even further, she saw other villages, other forests and rivers, and
other castles. The castles had golden
silk flags blowing in the wind that seemed to be waving to her. Suddenly, Queen Mary was taken with a great
longing to explore the world beyond her kingdom and visit the other
castles. Perhaps, they too, were filled
with happy, playful children.
With
her heart eager for adventure, the Queen slid back down the rainbow and landed
in the soft grasses and flowers in the meadow.
She walked back through the Enchanted Wood, past the Quartz Mountain,
the Jasper House and the Troll Bridge.
She walked along the riverside and climbed the crookedy stairs. She walked past the Story Rock and into the
Clearing where she saw her dear friends, the Lord and Ladies of the Cedar
Castle sitting together among the scilla chatting and singing. Queen Mary told them all about her adventure
and the castles that lay beyond their kingdom.
She asked the Lord and Ladies to care for the Cedar Castle and the
children while she explored the world beyond. And, of course, they agreed.
The
Lords and Ladies and the children of the village continued to spend their days
happily together in the Cedar Castle and the Enchanted Wood, while Queen Mary
went on to explore the world beyond. She
met many new friends, and all who came to know her were touched by her
presence. She was known throughout the
land as a helper for humanity and a kind and wise teacher. And so it was, that Queen Mary, the Lords and
Ladies and all of the Children of the Cedar Castle lived happily ever
after.
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