During these times of lockdown as we could not go over to our daughter's home to meet up with our granddaughters, we spend time talking over the phone, making WhatsApp and Skype video calls to each other. And so as usual my granddaughter and I sat to read another story. It was interesting to see how the stories fell into place without me planning ahead and choosing these stories.
My daughter had bought the storybook "The Selfish Crocodile" several years ago for her daughter for its enormous size and giant illustrations. We remember how she herself as a child had sat on these giant-sized books and watched the colorful drawings in the past. This book was a favorite among us. So when I came across it read out aloud on the "MissEmsBookworm Read Aloud" YouTube channel, I picked it to listen with my granddaughter this morning.
A crocodile refuses to share the river with the other animals in the jungle. Eventually, when it has a toothache a mouse comes to his rescue. Since then the crocodile tones down and accepts its friends allowing them space in the river too. It teaches us to share and not to be selfish.
The next story that I came across to read together was that of a Giant named George, "The Smartest Giant in Town" on "Storyvision Studios UK." Wanting to rid his image of being the scruffiest, shabby, untidy, and dirty giant, he ops to buy himself some new clothes leaving his old ones behind at the shop. Along the way, he meets a giraffe, a goat, some mice, a fox, and a dog. It ends up that he gives away his new tie, his new shirt, one of his new shoes, a sock, and his belt to them for they needed them more than him. Eventually, he is left in the cold and heads back to the shop where he left his old clothes behind. The good shopkeeper kept his clothes outside as if they knew he would return for them. Then all the animals that he helped came together bringing him a gift, a paper crown that they made, and a thank you message.
Watching yet another story told, "Share Big Bear Share" on "The Children's Storytime Bookshelf", we learn about the need to share with others too. A bear that eats all the berries alone is taught to share with the other animals in the forest too.
These stories showed us how sharing brings together friends and how selfishness drives them to stay away. We both enjoyed today's stories and the message that came across for we could relate to the joy in giving to others. https://youtu.be/rwPGDSsbNVs
My daughter in giving out cookies to her children always gives more and asks them to share with others at home. So my granddaughter would walk up to me when my wife and I were staying with them for several months last year because of the lockdown and pass me some too. This is how she inculcates the habit of sharing in them.
When Pothihai Dharma Chakram served food for school children attending additional classes in preparation for their exams we introduced them to pass on the plate of food they received to their friend beside them. This process continued until everyone had food. This we thought would encourage them to give what they had to another. If there is any change we want to bring it has to begin with these children. My daughter was saddened that adults came and carted away more than their allocation for a family when her husband and brothers got together to start a Food Bank in lieu of many going hungry during this time of the pandemic. These few never thought about another going hungry. If they did they would leave some behind for others too.
Children are a joy to be with. I came across the following song last night. It brought tears especially when this kid calls out to Siva, Sivamae! Sivamae!
My granddaughter seeing us engaged in puja dishes out her version of songs in praise of the Gods when she was much younger. https://youtu.be/OKCvs7A4NqM and https://youtu.be/BzHNNZq2cTI and https://youtu.be/14hJYdrruvo