During the months of November, December and January, I perform a multicultural holiday show in schools which features seven different celebrations: Advent / Christmas, Hanukkah, Diwali, Chinese New Year, Winter Solstice, Ramadan/Eid and Kwanzaa. Yesterday I gave my first performance for this year and had a wonderful time with a gym full of four to twelve year olds.
One of my favourite parts of performing in schools is talking with the children afterwards. Yesterday, the kids who gathered around me after the assembly, were literally beaming with joy when they told me that I had actually talked about the holiday they celebrate at home! We all need to have our lives reflected back to us from the world around us.
After I had packed up my storybag, loaded the props into the car and was headed for the door, the librarian asked if I had a moment. A grade 3 student had requested to speak with me! Most intrigued, I made my way to the library where I met a shy little boy who, in a spirit of kindness and generosity, wanted to tell me the correct pronunciation of Ravana, the ten headed demon in the Ramayana. He knew something that I apparently didn't, and wanted to help me.
I was touched by his thoughtfulness.
Happy Storytelling!
Cheryl Thornton
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