All rights reserved; this copy is given to you.
For information on copies please contact:
Growing Together Counseling and Education
801 224 3001 http://www.GrowingTogetherCounseling.com
THE DRAGON
"A long time ago in Archordain," said the storyteller in a far off voice. "There was a town called Bosuchus. It was usually peaceful and calm in Bosuchus, but not today for an important event was happening today. King Tricason was coming here today and everyone was getting ready for his arrival.
Everyone helped; some made banners, some helped prepare the banquet. Everyone was busy and soon it was done. The banquet was cooked and on a large table. All the streamers and banners were up. A few people just went back to their homes and the others stayed there tidying up little odds and ends such as straightening the spoons and forks, for this was the King of Archordain and they wanted everything to be perfect.
In no time at all they heard the royal trumpets sounding and a voice saying, "His majesty King Tricason has come." Then the royal procession began. First came King Tricason himself. He had a black mustache and black hair about to the middle of his ears. Then came the nobles then the servants.
Everyone watching the procession knelt to King Tricason as he walked to the banquet table. When he was there he took his seat at the head of the table; the nobles sat at the side of the table close to him; they then began to eat with their beloved king close to them.
Soon Tricason look up at the people of Bosuchus and said, "Tomorrow I would like to see all the towns people gathered together at the town square. I have an important message to give all of them.
CHAPTER THREE
The next day as King Tricason had requested all the townspeople had gathered in the town square. There was a pulpit at the head of the crowd which he had stepped on to. The king cleared his throat and started to speak in a solemn voice.
"My people, a great evil has come over our peaceful country. An evil so great that it grieves my heart just to think of it." Then he paused for a moment and then started once more. "A dragon has come into Archordain and I have come here to recruit my loyal subjects. Together we may be able to slay this foul beast."
"The recruits will receive 60 trats a month. This dragon has already destroyed 15 towns and villages much like yours." And here Tricason ended his speech. And the next day a sort of stall was erected for the people that wanted to join this army. There was a great turnout they got almost half the men of Bosuchus and even some of the women who were satisfied with the job of cooks and nurses..
CHAPTER FOUR
The small army went out at once. Everyone said goodbye to their families sadly and left. They were led by General Ladcam for the king and his nobles had gone off to recruit people from other towns.
When they set up camp for the night Ladcam filled them in on all the information he had on the dragon. "He has his lair on Mount Ruculus. The plan is to go into his lair when he is asleep and grab some of his scales that have dropped off onto the ground and then get out of there. Then they would use those scales as shields against the dragon fire." For it was well known in Archordain from the stories and legends, that the only thing that could protect someone from a dragon's fire is that same dragon's scales. There were a few more instructions about how they were going to get there and other such things and then they all went to sleep.
But before General Ladcam retired to his tent he was stopped by a young man in his thirties. "General Ladcam may I see you privately?" he requested.
"Surely, you may." the General replied, and he showed the young man to his tent. Inside the tent they each sat down by a small table and the young man started talking. "I do not wish to keep you up longer than is needed, so I will be brief. Just before I left Bosuchus to join this army my grandfather gave me this" as he was talking he pulled out of his pocket two small glass containers much like food coloring bottles with an oozy looking fluid in them. "My grandfather said that these would help us in our quest against the dragon." The young man said that his grandfather would say no more, and then left the surprised general holding the two small containers in his hands.
In the morning after everyone had eaten breakfast and everything had been put up, the army started on their way. It was pretty easy going to begin the day when it was afternoon they stopped to rest the horses and have lunch.
CHAPTER FIVE
Day after day the small army walked on. Every now and then, someone would join them. After about a week of walking they could see the tip of Mount Ruculus. That night they all reviewed their plans with Ladcam, and then went to sleep. When they woke up that morning they hurried to put everything up and start going for they were trying to get to the main camp where many other small armies were encamped together.
The townspeople almost walked halfway through the main camp without noticing that they were in it. The tents were very cleverly hidden by camouflage. General Ladcam noticed it a good deal before they were there, but he wanted the townspeople to find it on their own. The camp was about at the middle of Mount Ruculus. All the people of Bosuchus pitched their tents in the same area and then just loafed around for a while.
All the Generals were called to a meeting in the middle of camp in which Tricason himself would instruct them on what exactly to do. While the generals were gone, the townspeople mingled with each other
Everyone was either talking or resting in their tents when there was a great noise such as would happen if we put gas on a fire. Then everyone saw it, (all the people who had been in their tents came out because of the noise) a great huge burst of flame almost half an acre wide. There was a small group of trees standing, and moments later there was nothing but the black smoking ground.
The people of Bosuchus, all the generals, and the people of the other towns all knew that dragons breathe fire yet they had never seen it happen before. They did not know how terrible it actually was. Many of the people that had only minutes ago been so cheerful and almost eager to meet this dragon now felt just the opposite.
CHAPTER SIX
In the days that followed everyone tried to forget that horrible blast of fire that came from the cave. More and more armies came to the camp and soon Tricason announced that it was time to gather the scales from the dragon’s lair. Ladcam volunteered his army to gather the scales first
The Bosuchus army was divided into ten groups of ten each. The first group to go in was the one with the young man who gave the glass containers to Ladcam
What happened to them can be best described in their own words so here is how one member of the team called Motley told the story. "So there we were about to go right into a dragon's lair and pick up a bunch of scales. I wrote out my will, hoping that it wouldn't need to be used in a long time. I got ready for the expedition, said goodbye to everyone else, and we were off. On the way up to the dragon’s lair we talked about the stories that would be told about us."
"When we got there we decided that the best thing to do would be for all ten of us to run in and pick up as many as we could, making as little noise as we could so we would not wake up the dragon. It took us all a minute to muster up the courage to go, but soon we were about to get moving. We counted to three and ran in. I found a good pile of scales and started picking them up. When my hands were full I ran out. The others came out soon and had a great many of scales as well.
"We made two more runs and ended with quite a large pile of scales which we put in the cart and pulled down the mountain into camp. Later when we had a contest to see which team gathered the most my team came in fourth."
And that's basically the story for all the teams. There was one group of townspeople from a town named Nabatnam whose general foolishly told them all to go in at the same time. They made too much noise and woke the dragon up he fried almost all of them, except the ones that dived into a pile of dragon scales. When they were all counted it turned out that Bosuchus gathered the most.
Tricason ordered all the scales made into shields, yet no one seemed to know how, when someone accidentally dropped one into a fire and saw it melt into a thick hard substance. This gave the blacksmiths an idea. The blacksmiths approached the king and asked him to order some bellows from the nearby town of Triclat and he did so. When the bellows came the blacksmiths set to work hammering the substance into huge shields.
Before anyone seemed to know what was happening, everything was completed. The shields were all made, the spears, bows and arrows that had been ordered had come, and the king had recruited all the towns that he had been able too. IT WAS TIME FOR THE ATTACK!!!
CHAPTER SEVEN
The generals all agreed to go up in full force and go as close as they dared with the best bowmen in the front. And then open fire. Tricason selected the ten bravest men to go find out where the most vulnerable part of the dragon was. They came back and said it was the eyes and the mouth After they had all rested, they went up to the dragon’s lair, as planned, in full force with the best bowmen in front. They all got as close to the dragon as they dared to, and the bowmen fired. The dragon awoke in a furious frenzy. It started breathing fire everywhere and swishing its tail. That's when Ladcam remembered the glass bottles that the young man had given to him. He pulled the first one out while holding his shield up against a furious blast of dragon’s breath. The general held the bottle and threw it with all his might and muscle. The tiny container spun around in the air and hit the dragon when its mouth was open, yet just before any fire came out.
The dragon seemed to stop and hold stock still for a moment, and then it seemed like it was choking on the fluid. The beast had its mouth open yet no fire was coming out. The beast became even more furious it started hitting people with its tail. It even tried to eat one of the men, but the man threw his spear almost right by the dragons eye.
Then Ladcam threw the other bottle at the dragon . It hit with a loud crash and the dragon fell in a heap with a roar. Everyone ran up to it and started jabbing it with their spears until they were sure it was dead Then they rose a great shout of victory and started pulling the spears and arrows out with great joy.
CHAPTER EIGHT
epilouge
That night there was a great feast and a celebration. In the morning most of the people started packing their belongings and their payment and headed for home. The young man’s grandfather was questioned and would not say anything. He just acted like he had never given his grandson anything like the two bottles. They remain a mystery even today.
The dragon killed almost 120 of the 2000 people that had attacked it. Most people guessed it would have killed more people had it not been killed itself. The townspeople went back to their separate villages and towns. They were all allowed to keep their shields as mementos of their battle
"And that is the end of the story,” said the storyteller and the silence that had prevailed through the whole story was broken and everybody gradually left except the two boys, Motaff and Nudat. They went up and started talking with the storyteller.
"That sure was a neat story!" said Motaff in an exited voice.
"Yeah, where did you learn it from?" asked Nudat.
"I learned it from my grandfather when I was very young." said the storyteller.
"Where did he learn it from?" asked both the boys together
"I never asked him," said the old man
One day the two boys were looking through an old genealogy book when they noticed a branch of the storyteller’s ancestors. They looked at it a while. Then Nudat quickly pointed at one certain point and almost shouted "look Motaff look!". There in a certain spot was the name CAFNAT LADCAM, general in the army of King Tricason. So the boys found out the truth.
THE END
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
The Vizadors
All rights reserved; this copy is given to you.
For information on copies please contact:
Growing Together Counseling and Education
801 224 3001 http://www.GrowingTogetherCounseling.com
THE DRAGON
"A long time ago in Archordain," said the storyteller in a far off voice. "There was a town called Bosuchus. It was usually peaceful and calm in Bosuchus, but not today for an important event was happening today. King Tricason was coming here today and everyone was getting ready for his arrival.
Everyone helped; some made banners, some helped prepare the banquet. Everyone was busy and soon it was done. The banquet was cooked and on a large table. All the streamers and banners were up. A few people just went back to their homes and the others stayed there tidying up little odds and ends such as straightening the spoons and forks, for this was the King of Archordain and they wanted everything to be perfect.
In no time at all they heard the royal trumpets sounding and a voice saying, "His majesty King Tricason has come." Then the royal procession began. First came King Tricason himself. He had a black mustache and black hair about to the middle of his ears. Then came the nobles then the servants.
Everyone watching the procession knelt to King Tricason as he walked to the banquet table. When he was there he took his seat at the head of the table; the nobles sat at the side of the table close to him; they then began to eat with their beloved king close to them.
Soon Tricason look up at the people of Bosuchus and said, "Tomorrow I would like to see all the towns people gathered together at the town square. I have an important message to give all of them.
CHAPTER THREE
The next day as King Tricason had requested all the townspeople had gathered in the town square. There was a pulpit at the head of the crowd which he had stepped on to. The king cleared his throat and started to speak in a solemn voice.
"My people, a great evil has come over our peaceful country. An evil so great that it grieves my heart just to think of it." Then he paused for a moment and then started once more. "A dragon has come into Archordain and I have come here to recruit my loyal subjects. Together we may be able to slay this foul beast."
"The recruits will receive 60 trats a month. This dragon has already destroyed 15 towns and villages much like yours." And here Tricason ended his speech. And the next day a sort of stall was erected for the people that wanted to join this army. There was a great turnout they got almost half the men of Bosuchus and even some of the women who were satisfied with the job of cooks and nurses..
CHAPTER FOUR
The small army went out at once. Everyone said goodbye to their families sadly and left. They were led by General Ladcam for the king and his nobles had gone off to recruit people from other towns.
When they set up camp for the night Ladcam filled them in on all the information he had on the dragon. "He has his lair on Mount Ruculus. The plan is to go into his lair when he is asleep and grab some of his scales that have dropped off onto the ground and then get out of there. Then they would use those scales as shields against the dragon fire." For it was well known in Archordain from the stories and legends, that the only thing that could protect someone from a dragon's fire is that same dragon's scales. There were a few more instructions about how they were going to get there and other such things and then they all went to sleep.
But before General Ladcam retired to his tent he was stopped by a young man in his thirties. "General Ladcam may I see you privately?" he requested.
"Surely, you may." the General replied, and he showed the young man to his tent. Inside the tent they each sat down by a small table and the young man started talking. "I do not wish to keep you up longer than is needed, so I will be brief. Just before I left Bosuchus to join this army my grandfather gave me this" as he was talking he pulled out of his pocket two small glass containers much like food coloring bottles with an oozy looking fluid in them. "My grandfather said that these would help us in our quest against the dragon." The young man said that his grandfather would say no more, and then left the surprised general holding the two small containers in his hands.
In the morning after everyone had eaten breakfast and everything had been put up, the army started on their way. It was pretty easy going to begin the day when it was afternoon they stopped to rest the horses and have lunch.
CHAPTER FIVE
Day after day the small army walked on. Every now and then, someone would join them. After about a week of walking they could see the tip of Mount Ruculus. That night they all reviewed their plans with Ladcam, and then went to sleep. When they woke up that morning they hurried to put everything up and start going for they were trying to get to the main camp where many other small armies were encamped together.
The townspeople almost walked halfway through the main camp without noticing that they were in it. The tents were very cleverly hidden by camouflage. General Ladcam noticed it a good deal before they were there, but he wanted the townspeople to find it on their own. The camp was about at the middle of Mount Ruculus. All the people of Bosuchus pitched their tents in the same area and then just loafed around for a while.
All the Generals were called to a meeting in the middle of camp in which Tricason himself would instruct them on what exactly to do. While the generals were gone, the townspeople mingled with each other
Everyone was either talking or resting in their tents when there was a great noise such as would happen if we put gas on a fire. Then everyone saw it, (all the people who had been in their tents came out because of the noise) a great huge burst of flame almost half an acre wide. There was a small group of trees standing, and moments later there was nothing but the black smoking ground.
The people of Bosuchus, all the generals, and the people of the other towns all knew that dragons breathe fire yet they had never seen it happen before. They did not know how terrible it actually was. Many of the people that had only minutes ago been so cheerful and almost eager to meet this dragon now felt just the opposite.
CHAPTER SIX
In the days that followed everyone tried to forget that horrible blast of fire that came from the cave. More and more armies came to the camp and soon Tricason announced that it was time to gather the scales from the dragon’s lair. Ladcam volunteered his army to gather the scales first
The Bosuchus army was divided into ten groups of ten each. The first group to go in was the one with the young man who gave the glass containers to Ladcam
What happened to them can be best described in their own words so here is how one member of the team called Motley told the story. "So there we were about to go right into a dragon's lair and pick up a bunch of scales. I wrote out my will, hoping that it wouldn't need to be used in a long time. I got ready for the expedition, said goodbye to everyone else, and we were off. On the way up to the dragon’s lair we talked about the stories that would be told about us."
"When we got there we decided that the best thing to do would be for all ten of us to run in and pick up as many as we could, making as little noise as we could so we would not wake up the dragon. It took us all a minute to muster up the courage to go, but soon we were about to get moving. We counted to three and ran in. I found a good pile of scales and started picking them up. When my hands were full I ran out. The others came out soon and had a great many of scales as well.
"We made two more runs and ended with quite a large pile of scales which we put in the cart and pulled down the mountain into camp. Later when we had a contest to see which team gathered the most my team came in fourth."
And that's basically the story for all the teams. There was one group of townspeople from a town named Nabatnam whose general foolishly told them all to go in at the same time. They made too much noise and woke the dragon up he fried almost all of them, except the ones that dived into a pile of dragon scales. When they were all counted it turned out that Bosuchus gathered the most.
Tricason ordered all the scales made into shields, yet no one seemed to know how, when someone accidentally dropped one into a fire and saw it melt into a thick hard substance. This gave the blacksmiths an idea. The blacksmiths approached the king and asked him to order some bellows from the nearby town of Triclat and he did so. When the bellows came the blacksmiths set to work hammering the substance into huge shields.
Before anyone seemed to know what was happening, everything was completed. The shields were all made, the spears, bows and arrows that had been ordered had come, and the king had recruited all the towns that he had been able too. IT WAS TIME FOR THE ATTACK!!!
CHAPTER SEVEN
The generals all agreed to go up in full force and go as close as they dared with the best bowmen in the front. And then open fire. Tricason selected the ten bravest men to go find out where the most vulnerable part of the dragon was. They came back and said it was the eyes and the mouth After they had all rested, they went up to the dragon’s lair, as planned, in full force with the best bowmen in front. They all got as close to the dragon as they dared to, and the bowmen fired. The dragon awoke in a furious frenzy. It started breathing fire everywhere and swishing its tail. That's when Ladcam remembered the glass bottles that the young man had given to him. He pulled the first one out while holding his shield up against a furious blast of dragon’s breath. The general held the bottle and threw it with all his might and muscle. The tiny container spun around in the air and hit the dragon when its mouth was open, yet just before any fire came out.
The dragon seemed to stop and hold stock still for a moment, and then it seemed like it was choking on the fluid. The beast had its mouth open yet no fire was coming out. The beast became even more furious it started hitting people with its tail. It even tried to eat one of the men, but the man threw his spear almost right by the dragons eye.
Then Ladcam threw the other bottle at the dragon . It hit with a loud crash and the dragon fell in a heap with a roar. Everyone ran up to it and started jabbing it with their spears until they were sure it was dead Then they rose a great shout of victory and started pulling the spears and arrows out with great joy.
epilouge
That night there was a great feast and a celebration. In the morning most of the people started packing their belongings and their payment and headed for home. The young man’s grandfather was questioned and would not say anything. He just acted like he had never given his grandson anything like the two bottles. They remain a mystery even today.
The dragon killed almost 120 of the 2000 people that had attacked it. Most people guessed it would have killed more people had it not been killed itself. The townspeople went back to their separate villages and towns. They were all allowed to keep their shields as mementos of their battle
"And that is the end of the story,” said the storyteller and the silence that had prevailed through the whole story was broken and everybody gradually left except the two boys, Motaff and Nudat. They went up and started talking with the storyteller.
"That sure was a neat story!" said Motaff in an exited voice.
"Yeah, where did you learn it from?" asked Nudat.
"I learned it from my grandfather when I was very young." said the storyteller.
"Where did he learn it from?" asked both the boys together
"I never asked him," said the old man
One day the two boys were looking through an old genealogy book when they noticed a branch of the storyteller’s ancestors. They looked at it a while. Then Nudat quickly pointed at one certain point and almost shouted "look Motaff look!". There in a certain spot was the name CAFNAT LADCAM, general in the army of King Tricason. So the boys found out the truth.
THE END
For information on copies please contact:
Growing Together Counseling and Education
801 224 3001 http://www.GrowingTogetherCounseling.com
THE DRAGON
"A long time ago in Archordain," said the storyteller in a far off voice. "There was a town called Bosuchus. It was usually peaceful and calm in Bosuchus, but not today for an important event was happening today. King Tricason was coming here today and everyone was getting ready for his arrival.
Everyone helped; some made banners, some helped prepare the banquet. Everyone was busy and soon it was done. The banquet was cooked and on a large table. All the streamers and banners were up. A few people just went back to their homes and the others stayed there tidying up little odds and ends such as straightening the spoons and forks, for this was the King of Archordain and they wanted everything to be perfect.
In no time at all they heard the royal trumpets sounding and a voice saying, "His majesty King Tricason has come." Then the royal procession began. First came King Tricason himself. He had a black mustache and black hair about to the middle of his ears. Then came the nobles then the servants.
Everyone watching the procession knelt to King Tricason as he walked to the banquet table. When he was there he took his seat at the head of the table; the nobles sat at the side of the table close to him; they then began to eat with their beloved king close to them.
Soon Tricason look up at the people of Bosuchus and said, "Tomorrow I would like to see all the towns people gathered together at the town square. I have an important message to give all of them.
CHAPTER THREE
The next day as King Tricason had requested all the townspeople had gathered in the town square. There was a pulpit at the head of the crowd which he had stepped on to. The king cleared his throat and started to speak in a solemn voice.
"My people, a great evil has come over our peaceful country. An evil so great that it grieves my heart just to think of it." Then he paused for a moment and then started once more. "A dragon has come into Archordain and I have come here to recruit my loyal subjects. Together we may be able to slay this foul beast."
"The recruits will receive 60 trats a month. This dragon has already destroyed 15 towns and villages much like yours." And here Tricason ended his speech. And the next day a sort of stall was erected for the people that wanted to join this army. There was a great turnout they got almost half the men of Bosuchus and even some of the women who were satisfied with the job of cooks and nurses..
CHAPTER FOUR
The small army went out at once. Everyone said goodbye to their families sadly and left. They were led by General Ladcam for the king and his nobles had gone off to recruit people from other towns.
When they set up camp for the night Ladcam filled them in on all the information he had on the dragon. "He has his lair on Mount Ruculus. The plan is to go into his lair when he is asleep and grab some of his scales that have dropped off onto the ground and then get out of there. Then they would use those scales as shields against the dragon fire." For it was well known in Archordain from the stories and legends, that the only thing that could protect someone from a dragon's fire is that same dragon's scales. There were a few more instructions about how they were going to get there and other such things and then they all went to sleep.
But before General Ladcam retired to his tent he was stopped by a young man in his thirties. "General Ladcam may I see you privately?" he requested.
"Surely, you may." the General replied, and he showed the young man to his tent. Inside the tent they each sat down by a small table and the young man started talking. "I do not wish to keep you up longer than is needed, so I will be brief. Just before I left Bosuchus to join this army my grandfather gave me this" as he was talking he pulled out of his pocket two small glass containers much like food coloring bottles with an oozy looking fluid in them. "My grandfather said that these would help us in our quest against the dragon." The young man said that his grandfather would say no more, and then left the surprised general holding the two small containers in his hands.
In the morning after everyone had eaten breakfast and everything had been put up, the army started on their way. It was pretty easy going to begin the day when it was afternoon they stopped to rest the horses and have lunch.
CHAPTER FIVE
Day after day the small army walked on. Every now and then, someone would join them. After about a week of walking they could see the tip of Mount Ruculus. That night they all reviewed their plans with Ladcam, and then went to sleep. When they woke up that morning they hurried to put everything up and start going for they were trying to get to the main camp where many other small armies were encamped together.
The townspeople almost walked halfway through the main camp without noticing that they were in it. The tents were very cleverly hidden by camouflage. General Ladcam noticed it a good deal before they were there, but he wanted the townspeople to find it on their own. The camp was about at the middle of Mount Ruculus. All the people of Bosuchus pitched their tents in the same area and then just loafed around for a while.
All the Generals were called to a meeting in the middle of camp in which Tricason himself would instruct them on what exactly to do. While the generals were gone, the townspeople mingled with each other
Everyone was either talking or resting in their tents when there was a great noise such as would happen if we put gas on a fire. Then everyone saw it, (all the people who had been in their tents came out because of the noise) a great huge burst of flame almost half an acre wide. There was a small group of trees standing, and moments later there was nothing but the black smoking ground.
The people of Bosuchus, all the generals, and the people of the other towns all knew that dragons breathe fire yet they had never seen it happen before. They did not know how terrible it actually was. Many of the people that had only minutes ago been so cheerful and almost eager to meet this dragon now felt just the opposite.
CHAPTER SIX
In the days that followed everyone tried to forget that horrible blast of fire that came from the cave. More and more armies came to the camp and soon Tricason announced that it was time to gather the scales from the dragon’s lair. Ladcam volunteered his army to gather the scales first
The Bosuchus army was divided into ten groups of ten each. The first group to go in was the one with the young man who gave the glass containers to Ladcam
What happened to them can be best described in their own words so here is how one member of the team called Motley told the story. "So there we were about to go right into a dragon's lair and pick up a bunch of scales. I wrote out my will, hoping that it wouldn't need to be used in a long time. I got ready for the expedition, said goodbye to everyone else, and we were off. On the way up to the dragon’s lair we talked about the stories that would be told about us."
"When we got there we decided that the best thing to do would be for all ten of us to run in and pick up as many as we could, making as little noise as we could so we would not wake up the dragon. It took us all a minute to muster up the courage to go, but soon we were about to get moving. We counted to three and ran in. I found a good pile of scales and started picking them up. When my hands were full I ran out. The others came out soon and had a great many of scales as well.
"We made two more runs and ended with quite a large pile of scales which we put in the cart and pulled down the mountain into camp. Later when we had a contest to see which team gathered the most my team came in fourth."
And that's basically the story for all the teams. There was one group of townspeople from a town named Nabatnam whose general foolishly told them all to go in at the same time. They made too much noise and woke the dragon up he fried almost all of them, except the ones that dived into a pile of dragon scales. When they were all counted it turned out that Bosuchus gathered the most.
Tricason ordered all the scales made into shields, yet no one seemed to know how, when someone accidentally dropped one into a fire and saw it melt into a thick hard substance. This gave the blacksmiths an idea. The blacksmiths approached the king and asked him to order some bellows from the nearby town of Triclat and he did so. When the bellows came the blacksmiths set to work hammering the substance into huge shields.
Before anyone seemed to know what was happening, everything was completed. The shields were all made, the spears, bows and arrows that had been ordered had come, and the king had recruited all the towns that he had been able too. IT WAS TIME FOR THE ATTACK!!!
CHAPTER SEVEN
The generals all agreed to go up in full force and go as close as they dared with the best bowmen in the front. And then open fire. Tricason selected the ten bravest men to go find out where the most vulnerable part of the dragon was. They came back and said it was the eyes and the mouth After they had all rested, they went up to the dragon’s lair, as planned, in full force with the best bowmen in front. They all got as close to the dragon as they dared to, and the bowmen fired. The dragon awoke in a furious frenzy. It started breathing fire everywhere and swishing its tail. That's when Ladcam remembered the glass bottles that the young man had given to him. He pulled the first one out while holding his shield up against a furious blast of dragon’s breath. The general held the bottle and threw it with all his might and muscle. The tiny container spun around in the air and hit the dragon when its mouth was open, yet just before any fire came out.
The dragon seemed to stop and hold stock still for a moment, and then it seemed like it was choking on the fluid. The beast had its mouth open yet no fire was coming out. The beast became even more furious it started hitting people with its tail. It even tried to eat one of the men, but the man threw his spear almost right by the dragons eye.
Then Ladcam threw the other bottle at the dragon . It hit with a loud crash and the dragon fell in a heap with a roar. Everyone ran up to it and started jabbing it with their spears until they were sure it was dead Then they rose a great shout of victory and started pulling the spears and arrows out with great joy.
epilouge
That night there was a great feast and a celebration. In the morning most of the people started packing their belongings and their payment and headed for home. The young man’s grandfather was questioned and would not say anything. He just acted like he had never given his grandson anything like the two bottles. They remain a mystery even today.
The dragon killed almost 120 of the 2000 people that had attacked it. Most people guessed it would have killed more people had it not been killed itself. The townspeople went back to their separate villages and towns. They were all allowed to keep their shields as mementos of their battle
"And that is the end of the story,” said the storyteller and the silence that had prevailed through the whole story was broken and everybody gradually left except the two boys, Motaff and Nudat. They went up and started talking with the storyteller.
"That sure was a neat story!" said Motaff in an exited voice.
"Yeah, where did you learn it from?" asked Nudat.
"I learned it from my grandfather when I was very young." said the storyteller.
"Where did he learn it from?" asked both the boys together
"I never asked him," said the old man
One day the two boys were looking through an old genealogy book when they noticed a branch of the storyteller’s ancestors. They looked at it a while. Then Nudat quickly pointed at one certain point and almost shouted "look Motaff look!". There in a certain spot was the name CAFNAT LADCAM, general in the army of King Tricason. So the boys found out the truth.
THE END
Robin Prepares to Visit Earth
All rights reserved; this copy is given to you. For information on copies please contact:
Growing Together Counseling and Education
801 224 3001 http://www.GrowingTogetherCounseling.com
Starship2
Robin and Ted talked for many days about what Robin could expect to find at his new home. He studied catalogues of clothes, and watched video movies of popular television shows. He studied the way the boys walked and talked, and wondered if he would be able to copy them so that he would fit in.
"I really feel fake when I try to walk the way they walk or talk the way they talk. That is not what I am used to and I just want to be myself. I wish I could just go there and say, Hello, I'm from a space ship. I've never been with humans before and if I act a little different, well, that is just because I am different and that should be ok."
Well, Ted answered cautiously," that might work. We have kids from other countries that come and even though they dress sort of different than others and talk our language with an accent they seem to make friends and get along ok. You just might be able to do that.
But, I better warn you, there will always bee some kids that want to tease and cause trouble. They seem to think it makes them look good when they can put other people down with name calling or comments about the way they dress or speak.
I've seen some kids get really hurt about the name calling and get into fights over it. Then they end up getting in trouble for fighting and it never seems to stop. It's almost like when they get mad, it pays off the guys that are starting the trouble. I don't know exactly but it seems like some kids just like to get other kids in trouble. I think maybe it is because they feel like they have power over them. Anytime that type of kid thinks he has power over someone to make them do things or get them into trouble they keep using that power over and over.
It is like some kind of game. They want attention, or power, so they find someone to pick on. If that student just ignores their insults or teasing, they try someone else and keep trying until they find the right victim. They know they have the right victim when the kid gets really mad about the insults and starts either crying about it or trying to fight. Of course they only pick on kids they can't hurt them, so if the kid cry he gets more insults and teasing, and if he fights back he gets more. It ends up being a vicious circle for the one that gets picked on.
But when you watch the game closely you see that both kids are playing it. The rules seem to be clear to them, because they will repeat the same scene over and over week after week. The bully searches out a victim. Those who don't pay the bully by crying or fighting just walk away and hardly notice what happened. The bully doesn't get his pay back so he tries other kids. most of the kids just ignore him, or don't even notice him. this makes him feel bad because he really wants attention and probably doesn't know how to get it. He keeps trying the same thing to get attention until finally he finds his victim who gives him the attention he wants in a pretty sad way. But then the victim is getting some attention too, he gets the attention of the bully and his friends. he gets the attention of adults around who either punish him or feel sorry for him if he gets into a fight and the rest of the kids make comments about the bully and the victim so they both get more pay off. The only way the game stops is when the bully and the victim are separated by being put in different classes or changing schools. Even then they each find a new partner and the game continues.
I can't help but fee sorry for both of them, because all they really want is the attention of others, and all they really get is negative attention. If they just learn to be who they are in a different way, to get attention by doing positive friendly things, they could get all the pay offs without the tears and bad feelings.
Most kids seem to know that without being told. But I guess there will always be some who just don't get it.
"That sounds pretty scary.. What if i get scared and upset about something and some bully decides I can be his victim. Does it have to keep going on like you say.
"Not if you don't pay the bully. Just think of it this way. If you get paid money each time you do something, you'll keep on doing it, won't you... if you need the money? IF you do it a bunch of times for money, and then no one pays you for doing it anymore, you might keep right on doing it for a while, until you notice you are not going to get paid. Then you will probably stop, unless it is something you just really like to do and don't care about the money.
Well, for the bully, the pay off is the attention from everyone that he really needs and doesn't know how to get in other way.s
When the victim stops spaying the bully, the game will continue for a short while, because the bully will take a while to realize he is not getting paid, because his game has become a habit.
But after a few times, he will look around and realize no one is paying attention to him, he is not getting paid. Probably since he needs the attention so badly he will find another victim. If he is lucky someone will take him aside and teach him some better ways of getting attention that will pay off in positive ways. Payoffs that will make him feel good about himself and feel good about other people. when he begins to get pay offs from the things he does without having to have other people March 15, 2009o the paying, then his self esteem rises and he begins to have confidence that he is worthwhile and valuable.
When the victim begins to gain self esteem and confidence he begins to realize that he is valuable and loveable no matter how he talks or acts. He doesn't have to have the approval of everyone, so it doesn't matter any more if someone criticizes him or calls him names, so he actually learns not only to walk away, but to really ignore the cements made by bullies. He really doesn't hear them anymore, or if he does , he doesn't believe that they are important to him. He doesn't have to have everyone approve of who he is or what he is.
"But you said it was good to copy the way others act. Why did I spend all this time on videos watching kids if I don't need to copy how they act?
St is good to watch other people and learn from them. when you see someone that does things that you like, or dresses in a way you think would be comfortable to you, or you hear people talking in a way that sounds comfortable to you you can learn from them by copying. this is called emulating. Emulating is copying what someone does or says to learn from it. That is the way you learn new words, new behaviors and new ways of thinking and acting. none of us are born knowing everything. the way we learn is to do it, it becomes a growing experiment. As long as we choose carefully who and what we emulate we can grow in our own way, and continue to be our own person while learning new ways of thinking and acting.
Ok. I get it. I can be me, and choose things to copy or emulate that fit with my own values and wants and needs. Copying other people that have behaviors that I like or want to develop in my self is a way of growing and learning. I don't have to copy everyone that comes along. Just the people I see that do things that I believe would be comfortable to me and help me grow in a way that fits with my own needs and wants.
That's right. You are learning fast. Now let my voice travel with you as you begin your journey to the earth colony. There will be many other teachers that you can learn from as you grow. Remember well the lessons of the star ship and the learnings you have gained through this experience. You will always have a friends if you know how to be one. But you can always be yourself and choose behaviros that make you feel comfortable and happy.
Robin traveled to the earth colony and began his new life as an earth boy. He did not want to let people know that he was born in space, he did not feel comfortable with that right away so he kept that secret to himself. He knew it was ok to have personal secrets that he didn't share with others as long as it was not about being hurt or abused. He could choose what to share about himself with others as he began to know the other boys and girls in his school. Perhaps one day he would feel comfortable with sharing that, but for now he was content to be the new boy in school and begin making new friends.
Growing Together Counseling and Education
801 224 3001 http://www.GrowingTogetherCounseling.com
Starship2
Robin and Ted talked for many days about what Robin could expect to find at his new home. He studied catalogues of clothes, and watched video movies of popular television shows. He studied the way the boys walked and talked, and wondered if he would be able to copy them so that he would fit in.
"I really feel fake when I try to walk the way they walk or talk the way they talk. That is not what I am used to and I just want to be myself. I wish I could just go there and say, Hello, I'm from a space ship. I've never been with humans before and if I act a little different, well, that is just because I am different and that should be ok."
Well, Ted answered cautiously," that might work. We have kids from other countries that come and even though they dress sort of different than others and talk our language with an accent they seem to make friends and get along ok. You just might be able to do that.
But, I better warn you, there will always bee some kids that want to tease and cause trouble. They seem to think it makes them look good when they can put other people down with name calling or comments about the way they dress or speak.
I've seen some kids get really hurt about the name calling and get into fights over it. Then they end up getting in trouble for fighting and it never seems to stop. It's almost like when they get mad, it pays off the guys that are starting the trouble. I don't know exactly but it seems like some kids just like to get other kids in trouble. I think maybe it is because they feel like they have power over them. Anytime that type of kid thinks he has power over someone to make them do things or get them into trouble they keep using that power over and over.
It is like some kind of game. They want attention, or power, so they find someone to pick on. If that student just ignores their insults or teasing, they try someone else and keep trying until they find the right victim. They know they have the right victim when the kid gets really mad about the insults and starts either crying about it or trying to fight. Of course they only pick on kids they can't hurt them, so if the kid cry he gets more insults and teasing, and if he fights back he gets more. It ends up being a vicious circle for the one that gets picked on.
But when you watch the game closely you see that both kids are playing it. The rules seem to be clear to them, because they will repeat the same scene over and over week after week. The bully searches out a victim. Those who don't pay the bully by crying or fighting just walk away and hardly notice what happened. The bully doesn't get his pay back so he tries other kids. most of the kids just ignore him, or don't even notice him. this makes him feel bad because he really wants attention and probably doesn't know how to get it. He keeps trying the same thing to get attention until finally he finds his victim who gives him the attention he wants in a pretty sad way. But then the victim is getting some attention too, he gets the attention of the bully and his friends. he gets the attention of adults around who either punish him or feel sorry for him if he gets into a fight and the rest of the kids make comments about the bully and the victim so they both get more pay off. The only way the game stops is when the bully and the victim are separated by being put in different classes or changing schools. Even then they each find a new partner and the game continues.
I can't help but fee sorry for both of them, because all they really want is the attention of others, and all they really get is negative attention. If they just learn to be who they are in a different way, to get attention by doing positive friendly things, they could get all the pay offs without the tears and bad feelings.
Most kids seem to know that without being told. But I guess there will always be some who just don't get it.
"That sounds pretty scary.. What if i get scared and upset about something and some bully decides I can be his victim. Does it have to keep going on like you say.
"Not if you don't pay the bully. Just think of it this way. If you get paid money each time you do something, you'll keep on doing it, won't you... if you need the money? IF you do it a bunch of times for money, and then no one pays you for doing it anymore, you might keep right on doing it for a while, until you notice you are not going to get paid. Then you will probably stop, unless it is something you just really like to do and don't care about the money.
Well, for the bully, the pay off is the attention from everyone that he really needs and doesn't know how to get in other way.s
When the victim stops spaying the bully, the game will continue for a short while, because the bully will take a while to realize he is not getting paid, because his game has become a habit.
But after a few times, he will look around and realize no one is paying attention to him, he is not getting paid. Probably since he needs the attention so badly he will find another victim. If he is lucky someone will take him aside and teach him some better ways of getting attention that will pay off in positive ways. Payoffs that will make him feel good about himself and feel good about other people. when he begins to get pay offs from the things he does without having to have other people March 15, 2009o the paying, then his self esteem rises and he begins to have confidence that he is worthwhile and valuable.
When the victim begins to gain self esteem and confidence he begins to realize that he is valuable and loveable no matter how he talks or acts. He doesn't have to have the approval of everyone, so it doesn't matter any more if someone criticizes him or calls him names, so he actually learns not only to walk away, but to really ignore the cements made by bullies. He really doesn't hear them anymore, or if he does , he doesn't believe that they are important to him. He doesn't have to have everyone approve of who he is or what he is.
"But you said it was good to copy the way others act. Why did I spend all this time on videos watching kids if I don't need to copy how they act?
St is good to watch other people and learn from them. when you see someone that does things that you like, or dresses in a way you think would be comfortable to you, or you hear people talking in a way that sounds comfortable to you you can learn from them by copying. this is called emulating. Emulating is copying what someone does or says to learn from it. That is the way you learn new words, new behaviors and new ways of thinking and acting. none of us are born knowing everything. the way we learn is to do it, it becomes a growing experiment. As long as we choose carefully who and what we emulate we can grow in our own way, and continue to be our own person while learning new ways of thinking and acting.
Ok. I get it. I can be me, and choose things to copy or emulate that fit with my own values and wants and needs. Copying other people that have behaviors that I like or want to develop in my self is a way of growing and learning. I don't have to copy everyone that comes along. Just the people I see that do things that I believe would be comfortable to me and help me grow in a way that fits with my own needs and wants.
That's right. You are learning fast. Now let my voice travel with you as you begin your journey to the earth colony. There will be many other teachers that you can learn from as you grow. Remember well the lessons of the star ship and the learnings you have gained through this experience. You will always have a friends if you know how to be one. But you can always be yourself and choose behaviros that make you feel comfortable and happy.
Robin traveled to the earth colony and began his new life as an earth boy. He did not want to let people know that he was born in space, he did not feel comfortable with that right away so he kept that secret to himself. He knew it was ok to have personal secrets that he didn't share with others as long as it was not about being hurt or abused. He could choose what to share about himself with others as he began to know the other boys and girls in his school. Perhaps one day he would feel comfortable with sharing that, but for now he was content to be the new boy in school and begin making new friends.
Robin on the Space Ship
All rights reserved; this copy is given to you.
For information on copies please contact:
Growing Together Counseling and Education
801 224 3001 http://www.GrowingTogetherCounseling.com
Robin entered the holideck cautiously.
This would be his first experiement with earth people.
In the safety of the holodeck he could
try out different kinds of behaviors and
decide which felt the most comfortable
Ted promised him that the experiences would be
very much like being around real humans and
the things Robin did would have consequences
very much like they would on earth.
Robin found himself entering a classroom full of boys and girls. The others were his age, some larger and some smaller than him. The teacher smiled and motioned for him to bring his papers from the office to her desk.
Class, this is Robin Spencer, she told the class, putting her hand on his sholder. Robin is new here in this city and I hope you will show him how considerate and friendly you can be. Robin would you like to tell us about yourself?
Robin felt himself flinch away from the unacustomed hand and step back as Ms. Oliver invited him to say something. He had not thought of anything to say. What if he said something really stupid sounding and everyone laughed at him. Or what if his voice didn't come out at all, and he just stood there moving his lips.
Robin looked down and away and shook his head. He just wanted to get into a desk and disappear behind a book. Why was she torturing him like this. Some of the kids were smiling and looking at each other. They must be talking about me. They think I am a geek. I'll never fit in.
Oh, this is awful. I never should have come here. I hate it here already. It's not fair, why did I have to come here, why does everything terrible happen to me.
The students in the class looked back at their work, and away from Robin. As Mrs. Oliver showed robin his desk and books, he heard some whispers and snickers, but no one looked at him.
End program: Robin commanded the computer.
"Oh, that was nice," he said sarcastically. "I felt like a looser the first minute I walked into the school. I knew it would snot work out."
Was it my clothes? Did I comb my hair wrong or have the wrong shoes?
Ted watched the video replay and gave Robin some pointers.
Robin, watch how you walked into the room. You did not look around, you looked down at the floor. When the teacher touched your sholder you pulled away like you were afraid of her touch. Look at her face. Does she look like she is going to hurt you or let anyone hurt you? Did you think she would give you a death grip on the sholder?
No. I'm just not used to anyone touching me. I didn't think about it. I just reacted. I can see in her face that it made her feel uncomfortable too.
What should I do if someone touches me?
How about, let them, if it just on the sholder or back. If they want to touch more than that like hug or hold hands, you can tell them clearly that you do not feel like hugging, but you will shake their hand, or you don't want to be touched just now. It is ok to tell people how you feel about touching. And it is ok to let people touch you in safe ways like shaking hands, or pat on the back or sholder.
OK,I got it. I can do that.
Now look at your face when whe asked you about yourself?
People like to know about other people, and it shows interest when they ask questions.
She gaves you a chance to let the class memebers know a little about you so they wouldn't have to be guessing and speculating about you. That would have been a good chance to look at them all in the eyes and say,
"Hello, I'm new here and I might do things differedntly from you. Please help me if I seem lost or confused."
The way you looked away, it seemed like you were stuck up or snobbish and the kids though that you think you are too good for them. They were afraid to look at you or talk to you after that because they thought you might not answer them. Kids are really afraid tshey will loose value if someone treats them like they are not important.
You want to be treated like you are valuable and important, just as they do. It can start with the way you look at other people.
When you walk back to your desk with the teacyher, look up and look into the other kids' faces. Smile if they look at you, and later when it is time, feel free to ask their names even more than once if you need to.
It is important to learn their names and use them often.
OK. Are you ready to try that part again. Computer, repeat program?
Robin again entered the classroom, newly asssigned to Mrs. Oliver's classroom. He looked up and looked around at the students as he entered. When he saw Mrs. Oliver he walked toward her as she beckoned him with her hand. He handed her his papers and said in a clear voice, loud enough to be heard plainly by her, but not so loud it would startle her, "Hello, I'm Robin Spencer. I have been assigned to your classroom. Here are my papers."
Ms. Oliver again put her hand on Robin's sholder to introduce him to the class. The touch still felt a little strange to him, but he resisted stepping away, and he looked at the classs and smiled as she repeated his name and a welcome.
When she asked if he would like to say anything to the class, he said, "It is sure good to be here. I am glad that you look friendly so that I will feel ok asking for help or directions if I get lost or confused."
The kids looked back at him and lauged in a friendly way as they nodded their approval. Walking back to his desk he looked into some of the students faces and saw smiles. He smiled back and began to notice the name tags across the front of their desks that would help him learn their names.
He breathed a sigh of releif. This is going to be ok. I already have friends here.
Computer pause program;
I think that was a lot better. I feel better about myself when I look at people and think of them as friendly instead of looking away and being afraid. I think they liked me better the second time because they could tell I wasn't a snob or snooty. I'm glad I had a chance to practice that. Lets go on.
Chapter 4.
The morning in the holigram classroom continued quickly as the class changed from the morning announcements to social studies, then math. The material was no problem for Robin, he had studied all of it before. He felt comfortable making coments to the boys in the desks near by and said, "is this all you do here, I have already studied all of this. You mean you don't know these things already? '
The boys looked away and looked down at their books. Robin sknew he had made some kind of mistake but didn't know just what had gone wrong. Suddenly the smiling friendly faces had turned sour and turned away in an unfriendly way.
Computer, pause the program.
Ted, what did I do wrong.? I can tell by their faces that I made a mistake.
I was doing all the things I practices, I looked at them and smiled and even knew some of the names of the boys near by.
When I made a comment about the material we had to work on something went wrong. Please help me figure out what it was.
Ted, studied that portion of hte video. Robin what did you say right there, there just before Mike looked away. "I said this stuff was easy and I had already studied it."
Look carefully at Michael's math paper. You can see it there on his desk in the video. He doesn't have the right answers. He is not even doing the right process. Michael doesn't think it is easy. He looks like you took a peice of him away when you said how easy it is for you. When people have a hard time with learning things, it is not friendly to tell them how easy it is.
How was I supposed to know he was dumb?
That's a judgment. Making judgments about people is another way to take something away from them. Michael isn't necessarily dumb just because he hasn't learned that part of math.
If I offered to help him , would that take anything away from him. Would that be friendly.
Some people like help and others resent it, You will have to be careful who you offer to help, and how you offer. If you sound like a "know it all" or sound like you think they are dumb, they will probably resent your help. But if you sound sincerely friendly and helpful, and do it in a way that shows concern and a desire to be helpful, they will probalby accept it as friendly.
Ok.. One step at a time. Computer repeat the classroom scene starting with the math lesson:
Wow, Robin, are you finished already?
Yes, I have already studied this part of math. It was really hard for me at first, and I had to have a lot of help, but when I practiced with someone, I started to understand it, and Ilearned how to do it. It's kind of fun for me now. Would you like me to help you practice it?
I'm always in trouble at math time. Michaeel answered. The teacher goes too fast, and then I get confused. Can you explain it to me in a different way.
OK, Michael, how much of it do you already understand. Well, look you are doing most of it by yourself already. The next part is the tricky part. Watch, and we'll do it together at first, then you can try it by yourself.
They each worked the problem out on the paper, comparing steps as they went along. "That's right, Michael, you got it. I knew you could understand it. Now let's try another one to be sure you remember all the steps. sThat was really great. Mrs. Oliver will be pleased to see that you are able to keep up. I'm glad she lets us work together. I learned a lot by helping you too.
Michael and Robin continued to work silently on the rest of the morning's assignments until it was time for recess.
__________________
Chapter 5
Robin was glad for the chance to streatch his legs and get a drink of water. The morning had gone fast the second time through and he was feeling good just to be a part of the small group of boys that he sat around. "This isn't going to be so bad," he thought smiling and waling toward the door. I think I will try to get to know some of the other boys."
He watched a group from his class join with some others in a game of basket ball. He knew the rules and had tried a few practice shots so he walked over and stood on the side of the court. He waited quetly while the boys chose up teams quickly. They started to play but did not choose him for a team. He watched the ball going back and forth betyween the players and the laughing and shouthing reminded him of other times and places when he had been involved with friends and game. He began to feel very lonley and his face changed to a sad look. He felt uncomfortable and alone in the alien world. No one seemed to care about making him a part of their game. "I guess it is not as friendly here as I had thought.
For information on copies please contact:
Growing Together Counseling and Education
801 224 3001 http://www.GrowingTogetherCounseling.com
Robin entered the holideck cautiously.
This would be his first experiement with earth people.
In the safety of the holodeck he could
try out different kinds of behaviors and
decide which felt the most comfortable
Ted promised him that the experiences would be
very much like being around real humans and
the things Robin did would have consequences
very much like they would on earth.
Robin found himself entering a classroom full of boys and girls. The others were his age, some larger and some smaller than him. The teacher smiled and motioned for him to bring his papers from the office to her desk.
Class, this is Robin Spencer, she told the class, putting her hand on his sholder. Robin is new here in this city and I hope you will show him how considerate and friendly you can be. Robin would you like to tell us about yourself?
Robin felt himself flinch away from the unacustomed hand and step back as Ms. Oliver invited him to say something. He had not thought of anything to say. What if he said something really stupid sounding and everyone laughed at him. Or what if his voice didn't come out at all, and he just stood there moving his lips.
Robin looked down and away and shook his head. He just wanted to get into a desk and disappear behind a book. Why was she torturing him like this. Some of the kids were smiling and looking at each other. They must be talking about me. They think I am a geek. I'll never fit in.
Oh, this is awful. I never should have come here. I hate it here already. It's not fair, why did I have to come here, why does everything terrible happen to me.
The students in the class looked back at their work, and away from Robin. As Mrs. Oliver showed robin his desk and books, he heard some whispers and snickers, but no one looked at him.
End program: Robin commanded the computer.
"Oh, that was nice," he said sarcastically. "I felt like a looser the first minute I walked into the school. I knew it would snot work out."
Was it my clothes? Did I comb my hair wrong or have the wrong shoes?
Ted watched the video replay and gave Robin some pointers.
Robin, watch how you walked into the room. You did not look around, you looked down at the floor. When the teacher touched your sholder you pulled away like you were afraid of her touch. Look at her face. Does she look like she is going to hurt you or let anyone hurt you? Did you think she would give you a death grip on the sholder?
No. I'm just not used to anyone touching me. I didn't think about it. I just reacted. I can see in her face that it made her feel uncomfortable too.
What should I do if someone touches me?
How about, let them, if it just on the sholder or back. If they want to touch more than that like hug or hold hands, you can tell them clearly that you do not feel like hugging, but you will shake their hand, or you don't want to be touched just now. It is ok to tell people how you feel about touching. And it is ok to let people touch you in safe ways like shaking hands, or pat on the back or sholder.
OK,I got it. I can do that.
Now look at your face when whe asked you about yourself?
People like to know about other people, and it shows interest when they ask questions.
She gaves you a chance to let the class memebers know a little about you so they wouldn't have to be guessing and speculating about you. That would have been a good chance to look at them all in the eyes and say,
"Hello, I'm new here and I might do things differedntly from you. Please help me if I seem lost or confused."
The way you looked away, it seemed like you were stuck up or snobbish and the kids though that you think you are too good for them. They were afraid to look at you or talk to you after that because they thought you might not answer them. Kids are really afraid tshey will loose value if someone treats them like they are not important.
You want to be treated like you are valuable and important, just as they do. It can start with the way you look at other people.
When you walk back to your desk with the teacyher, look up and look into the other kids' faces. Smile if they look at you, and later when it is time, feel free to ask their names even more than once if you need to.
It is important to learn their names and use them often.
OK. Are you ready to try that part again. Computer, repeat program?
Robin again entered the classroom, newly asssigned to Mrs. Oliver's classroom. He looked up and looked around at the students as he entered. When he saw Mrs. Oliver he walked toward her as she beckoned him with her hand. He handed her his papers and said in a clear voice, loud enough to be heard plainly by her, but not so loud it would startle her, "Hello, I'm Robin Spencer. I have been assigned to your classroom. Here are my papers."
Ms. Oliver again put her hand on Robin's sholder to introduce him to the class. The touch still felt a little strange to him, but he resisted stepping away, and he looked at the classs and smiled as she repeated his name and a welcome.
When she asked if he would like to say anything to the class, he said, "It is sure good to be here. I am glad that you look friendly so that I will feel ok asking for help or directions if I get lost or confused."
The kids looked back at him and lauged in a friendly way as they nodded their approval. Walking back to his desk he looked into some of the students faces and saw smiles. He smiled back and began to notice the name tags across the front of their desks that would help him learn their names.
He breathed a sigh of releif. This is going to be ok. I already have friends here.
Computer pause program;
I think that was a lot better. I feel better about myself when I look at people and think of them as friendly instead of looking away and being afraid. I think they liked me better the second time because they could tell I wasn't a snob or snooty. I'm glad I had a chance to practice that. Lets go on.
Chapter 4.
The morning in the holigram classroom continued quickly as the class changed from the morning announcements to social studies, then math. The material was no problem for Robin, he had studied all of it before. He felt comfortable making coments to the boys in the desks near by and said, "is this all you do here, I have already studied all of this. You mean you don't know these things already? '
The boys looked away and looked down at their books. Robin sknew he had made some kind of mistake but didn't know just what had gone wrong. Suddenly the smiling friendly faces had turned sour and turned away in an unfriendly way.
Computer, pause the program.
Ted, what did I do wrong.? I can tell by their faces that I made a mistake.
I was doing all the things I practices, I looked at them and smiled and even knew some of the names of the boys near by.
When I made a comment about the material we had to work on something went wrong. Please help me figure out what it was.
Ted, studied that portion of hte video. Robin what did you say right there, there just before Mike looked away. "I said this stuff was easy and I had already studied it."
Look carefully at Michael's math paper. You can see it there on his desk in the video. He doesn't have the right answers. He is not even doing the right process. Michael doesn't think it is easy. He looks like you took a peice of him away when you said how easy it is for you. When people have a hard time with learning things, it is not friendly to tell them how easy it is.
How was I supposed to know he was dumb?
That's a judgment. Making judgments about people is another way to take something away from them. Michael isn't necessarily dumb just because he hasn't learned that part of math.
If I offered to help him , would that take anything away from him. Would that be friendly.
Some people like help and others resent it, You will have to be careful who you offer to help, and how you offer. If you sound like a "know it all" or sound like you think they are dumb, they will probably resent your help. But if you sound sincerely friendly and helpful, and do it in a way that shows concern and a desire to be helpful, they will probalby accept it as friendly.
Ok.. One step at a time. Computer repeat the classroom scene starting with the math lesson:
Wow, Robin, are you finished already?
Yes, I have already studied this part of math. It was really hard for me at first, and I had to have a lot of help, but when I practiced with someone, I started to understand it, and Ilearned how to do it. It's kind of fun for me now. Would you like me to help you practice it?
I'm always in trouble at math time. Michaeel answered. The teacher goes too fast, and then I get confused. Can you explain it to me in a different way.
OK, Michael, how much of it do you already understand. Well, look you are doing most of it by yourself already. The next part is the tricky part. Watch, and we'll do it together at first, then you can try it by yourself.
They each worked the problem out on the paper, comparing steps as they went along. "That's right, Michael, you got it. I knew you could understand it. Now let's try another one to be sure you remember all the steps. sThat was really great. Mrs. Oliver will be pleased to see that you are able to keep up. I'm glad she lets us work together. I learned a lot by helping you too.
Michael and Robin continued to work silently on the rest of the morning's assignments until it was time for recess.
__________________
Chapter 5
Robin was glad for the chance to streatch his legs and get a drink of water. The morning had gone fast the second time through and he was feeling good just to be a part of the small group of boys that he sat around. "This isn't going to be so bad," he thought smiling and waling toward the door. I think I will try to get to know some of the other boys."
He watched a group from his class join with some others in a game of basket ball. He knew the rules and had tried a few practice shots so he walked over and stood on the side of the court. He waited quetly while the boys chose up teams quickly. They started to play but did not choose him for a team. He watched the ball going back and forth betyween the players and the laughing and shouthing reminded him of other times and places when he had been involved with friends and game. He began to feel very lonley and his face changed to a sad look. He felt uncomfortable and alone in the alien world. No one seemed to care about making him a part of their game. "I guess it is not as friendly here as I had thought.
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