FABLES

Kindergarten – 5th Grade
Grade-school students are fascinated by Mr. Bear and Mrs. Crow, Clarice Camel, Mr. Hippo, and Lorenzo Ostrich in this narrated series adapted from Arnold Lobel's book of contemporary fables. Performed in body puppets and colorful costuming, these tales offer important lessons on thinking for yourself, personal satisfaction, overconsumption, and prejudice. Fables can include an audience participation piece.

"The very attentive children didn't want to miss anything... They were spellbound - and so were the teachers!" – Peabody School, Washington, DC

Bear and Crow
This sketch addresses the perils of not thinking for yourself. Mr. Bear loses self-confidence when Mrs. Crow criticizes the way he is dressed. Mr. Bear unwittingly follows Mrs. Crow's advice with disastrous results.

Hippo At Dinner
This piece deals with overindulgence. Mr. Hippo impatiently orders way more than he can comfortably eat at a restaurant. He soon regrets his overindulgence as he is so big he cannot move from the table and is left in the dark as the restaurant closes and the lights go out.

Ostrich in Love
The universal message that "love is its own reward" is illustrated through the efforts of a romantic Ostrich who spends his week devising ways to gain the attention of the object of his love, only to realize his shy nature prevents him from fulfilling his plans. Recognizing that he has not overcome his shyness, he appreciates that the week was nevertheless well spent pondering love.

Camel Dances
This segment addresses the importance of personal satisfaction. Clarice Camel wants to become a ballet dancer. After many hours of practice, she invites an audience of critics to see a performance. Although they respond negatively, Clarice doesn't allow their criticism to thwart her dream, and dances just for herself.

Rude Kangaroo
Prejudice is the focus of this audience participation piece. Students wearing animal hats and tails are directed around like Banraku puppets. Teachers play percussion instruments. Young Roo is very rude to classmate Pig. When principal Swan takes Roo home to talk to the parents, Swan discovers that mother Roo is just as rude and that the family likes only Kangaroos. Swan finds something they all have in common, and they all play happily together.

Echo
This classic mannequin-come-to-life story makes a statement about wishing for what you don't have. The mannequin, portrayed as a fancy-dressed doll, is envied by a not-so-fancy little girl. To fulfill the girl's desire, the doll comes to life, only to turn the girl into a robotic soulless replica of herself.

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