We meet in the Communication Center and read the story written by the other group of children the previous day. The story isn’t complete and as a group, we plan to add to the story and support the resolution of a conflict between the family and the wolf.
After hearing the story, Coco had a strong reaction. She didn’t enjoy the conflict of the story.
Coco: Why did they write this story? I don’t like it. The wolf ate the pig.
Caitlin: Why didn’t the wolf want the soup?
Jacob: Because wolves love to eat pigs best.
Teacher Jessica: At the end, the wolf is sad. Why?
Coco: Because he wanted friends.
Caitlin: Because he wanted bugs.
Coco: I think he was hurt.
Jessica: His body or his feelings?
Coco: Body.
Jacob: No, feelings!
Coco: Maybe both!
We discussed different ways that the wolf could make amends with the family.
Jacob: Maybe Mama Pig is still alive.
Caitlin: He will throw her up!
Zoe: Just so much throw up!
Jacob: The family will put a present in the wolves mouth and he will free Mama Pig.
They finish the story:
The wolf writes a note to the family.
It says, “I’m so sorry I ate your Mama Pig. I won’t do it again. I didn’t like it when you pushed me away. Maybe I could whisper in your ear that I feel sad.”
The family says, “We don’t like it when you eat Mama Pig. Will you please spit her out?”
The wolf’s tummy feels upset and he throws up Mama Pig. Mama Pig is very happy to be free but sad that the wolf ate her. The family kisses and hugs the wolf and they are friends again. The family gives the wolf more slimy bugs so he won’t eat Mama Pig again.
The children’s discussion and conclusion explored how the wolf might successfully make amends with the family. The group struggled with the permanence of Mama Pig being eaten and made the ultimate reversal or ‘do over’ for the wolf by resurrecting the mama pig. Then they put strategies in place to help the offending wolf stay on the straight and narrow by providing him with slimy bugs. As I listen and write their resolution, I’m touched by the children’s belief that regretful actions can always be undone, no matter how dire things seem, but I find myself wondering about the real-life challenge of repairing relationships and working through concepts of forgiveness in spite of regretful action. In wondering how to address the concept of forgiveness, Kristin suggested that Mama Pig’s unresolved feelings — “happy to be free but sad she was eaten” — might provide the necessary opening to examine how the children confront true forgiveness. I look forward to exploring these ideas further with the children.
The group struggled with the permanence of Mama Pig being eaten and made the ultimate reversal or ‘do over’ for the wolf by resurrecting the mama pig. Then they put strategies in place to help the offending wolf stay on the straight and narrow by providing him with slimy bugs