WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.657 The wood grows quiet. 00:00:01.657 --> 00:00:06.548 A lion rests beneath a tree, with one large paw near his nose. 00:00:06.548 --> 00:00:09.467 A mouse peeks out from behind a leaf. 00:00:09.467 --> 00:00:14.911 She means to go around him, but a dry leaf crackles beneath her foot. 00:00:14.911 --> 00:00:16.016 “Who is there? 00:00:16.016 --> 00:00:17.278 ” asks the lion. 00:00:17.278 --> 00:00:20.434 The mouse stops, drawing her tail close. 00:00:20.434 --> 00:00:25.089 The lion looks down at his visitor and keeps his paw still. 00:00:25.089 --> 00:00:32.347 This toy-stage retelling follows two very different-sized characters as they meet a problem. 00:00:32.347 --> 00:00:38.974 Look at where they stand, then think of something the mouse could say to begin their 00:00:38.974 --> 00:00:40.000 conversation. 00:00:40.000 --> 00:00:42.919 “Please let me pass,” says the mouse. 00:00:42.919 --> 00:00:45.444 “Perhaps I can help you one day. 00:00:45.444 --> 00:00:52.544 ” The lion looks from his broad paw to the little creature beside it and gives a surprised 00:00:52.544 --> 00:00:53.018 laugh. 00:00:53.018 --> 00:00:56.805 Still, he moves his paw and leaves a clear path. 00:00:56.805 --> 00:01:00.986 The mouse slips between the leaves and turns to wave. 00:01:00.986 --> 00:01:02.801 Pause the telling here. 00:01:02.801 --> 00:01:06.193 Does helping always require great strength? 00:01:06.193 --> 00:01:09.980 Do not answer with a ready-made lesson just yet. 00:01:09.980 --> 00:01:17.239 Remember what these two characters can each do, and look for a problem where one small skill 00:01:17.239 --> 00:01:20.000 might make a particular difference. 00:01:20.000 --> 00:01:24.331 A few days later, a low sound carries through the wood. 00:01:24.331 --> 00:01:29.134 The mouse follows it and finds the lion caught in a rope net. 00:01:29.134 --> 00:01:32.677 Whenever he pulls forward, the ropes tighten. 00:01:32.677 --> 00:01:34.488 “Wait,” says the mouse. 00:01:34.488 --> 00:01:41.417 Our theatre uses a thick toy frame to represent the net; it does not actually entangle a 00:01:41.417 --> 00:01:42.205 character. 00:01:42.205 --> 00:01:44.094 Choose a helping action. 00:01:44.094 --> 00:01:48.189 Will the mouse push the frame or find its fastening? 00:01:48.189 --> 00:01:53.543 A push makes it wobble, while releasing the fastening opens the way. 00:01:53.543 --> 00:02:00.000 You can repeat both actions to see whether the same choices give the same results. 00:02:00.000 --> 00:02:04.535 The mouse goes around the edge and stops beside a tight knot. 00:02:04.535 --> 00:02:06.840 She begins to work at the rope. 00:02:06.840 --> 00:02:13.160 In our stage, the frame slowly moves aside and the lion can step through the opening. 00:02:13.160 --> 00:02:19.033 This is a preset story action, rather than a simulation of real ropes breaking. 00:02:19.033 --> 00:02:25.204 Children should move the printed frame by hand, without using teeth or sharp tools. 00:02:25.204 --> 00:02:28.178 Replay the scene and describe its order. 00:02:28.178 --> 00:02:31.450 Why did simply pushing fail to open the way? 00:02:31.450 --> 00:02:34.796 What changed when the fastening was released? 00:02:34.796 --> 00:02:40.000 Point to the toys as you explain the difference to someone beside you. 00:02:40.000 --> 00:02:46.348 The lion stands beneath the tree and nudges a broad leaf into the space beside him. 00:02:46.348 --> 00:02:48.642 “There is room here,” he says. 00:02:48.642 --> 00:02:53.155 The mouse sits on it, with her feet just touching its edge. 00:02:53.155 --> 00:02:59.044 Arrange this ending on your story base and take turns voicing the characters. 00:02:59.044 --> 00:03:04.551 Keep the net frame nearby; moving it by hand lets you retell the rescue. 00:03:04.551 --> 00:03:09.216 For another scene, perhaps the mouse’s paper boat gets stuck. 00:03:09.216 --> 00:03:10.975 What could the lion do? 00:03:10.975 --> 00:03:17.094 Agree on the problem and each character’s useful action before recording a line. 00:03:17.094 --> 00:03:20.000 Save the pieces for your next telling.