Life is full of
surprises; impossible friendships are struck in the most unlikely places
between the most – on the face of it -- incompatible parties. Adults, being
more experienced and less credulous, would find it hard to see any affinity
between a flower and a snake, but children -- inhabiting the land of
make-believe – might be fascinated by such a rare friendship.
Basically the story is
meant to dispel myths about snakes and, hopefully, question people’s attitude
towards them. I had children in mind when I wrote it since their perceptions
about animals and people (!) are still in the making. The choice of flower is
purposeful too. Iris is the Greek word for rainbow and also the name of the
goddess of the rainbow.
The lesson could start
by asking the students some questions that will prime their minds to receive
the story. Such questions can be devised by observing life in its humblest
forms. For instance, ask the children how a butterfly relates to the sea. If
they don’t feel equal to the task, ask them to draw a butterfly flying over the
sea. Perhaps not a common sight but a possible one, I can assure you!
Here is the story and a
powerpoint slideshow to help present the story. Thereafter, the sky is the limit.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1y5GN55xMJwjGqZfh5EQcVF4g2_FiDEhP/view?usp=sharing
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1QbsJ0DQmVLZcwRqNDPoDdNtjtT1sqP9VzN5OGtm8pL4/edit?usp=sharing
