Tapestry of Faith: World of Wonder: A Program on the Seven Principles of Unitarian Universalism for Grades K-1

Activity 2: Story - The Noble Ibex

Part of World of Wonder

Activity time: 10 minutes

Print and copy the coloring sheet by Suzi Grossman (PDF) for "The Noble Ibex."

Coloring Sheet (PDF)

Materials for Activity

  • Story, "The Noble Ibex"
  • A large basket
  • Objects to place in the basket that are related to the story such as a goat (an ibex), a king's crown, a horse, a bow and arrow, or pictures of these items
  • A chime or rain stick
  • Optional: Fidget Basket (Session 1, Leader Resource 1)
  • Optional: "The Noble Ibex" coloring sheet (PDF) and crayons

Preparation for Activity

  • Place the story-related items and the chime or rain stick in the story basket and place the filled basket in the storytelling area.
  • Read the story a few times. Plan how you will use items from the story basket as props.
  • Read the story questions and choose ones that will best help these children interpret the story and relate it to their own lives.
  • Optional, but highly recommended: Provide a basket of soft, quiet, manipulable items for children who will listen and learn more effectively with something in their hands. Remind children where is the Fidget Basket is before you begin the "centering" part of this activity. See Session 1, Leader Resource 1, Fidget Basket, for a full description of a fidget basket and guidance for using it.
  • Optional: Print and copy the coloring sheet (PDF) and decide when you will provide it for children to color. Decide when you will offer it to children to color, for example, before telling the story, to show them what an ibex looks like. You may wish to include the coloring sheet with the Taking It Home handout to help children and parents/caregivers talk about the story at home.

Description of Activity

Gather the children in a circle in the storytelling area and show them the story basket. Say something like:

This is our story basket. I wonder what is in it today?

Take the story-related items from the basket, one at a time, and pass them around. Objects that are fragile or cannot easily be passed around can be held up for all to see and then placed on the altar/centering table or any table or shelf.

Take the chime or rain stick from the basket and say, in these words or your own:

Each time you hear a story during World of Wonder we will use this instrument to get our ears, minds, and bodies ready to listen. Sit comfortably and close your eyes. When I sound the chime (turn the rain stick over), listen as carefully as you can and see how long you can hear it. When you can't hear it anymore, open your eyes and it will be time for the story to start.

Sound the chime or rain stick. When the sound has completely disappeared, explain that this story is called a Jataka tale, which is a special kind of story from the Buddhist religion. In Jataka tales, the Buddha is reborn as an animal in order to teach people an important lesson. Note: An ibex is a kind of mountain goat. Tell or read the story, "The Noble Ibex."

When the story is finished, lead a brief discussion using questions such as:

  • What did you wonder about the story?
  • What did you like most about the story?
  • Have you ever had a human or animal show you compassion or kindness? If so, how?
  • Have you ever observed an animal show another animal or a person compassion?
  • What can we as Unitarian Universalists do, to show compassion or kindness throughout the web of life?

Including All Participants

Fidget objects, described in Session 1, Leader Resource 1, can provide a non-disruptive outlet for anyone who needs to move or who benefits from sensory stimulation. You might include soft crayons and the coloring sheet for this story as a fidget option.