I was hoping to get them to see the contrast between Palm Sunday and what was to follow. Because I think I thought that was the point. I wondered with them: what could Jesus have done next? What were the people feeling? How did the disciples feel when the donkey was there, as promised, and the subsequent conversations happened as promised?
However, as the wondering went on, I discovered the kids were wondering:
* did the donkey get home?
* how did the donkey feel about being ridden for the first time by someone it didn't know?
* how did the donkey feel about all the people yelling?
The point of connection for these kids was the donkey. This was the character they identified with most strongly. I did the story with three different groups. They all asked the same questions.
The following week, I brought the Jesus figure, the donkey, a cloak and a branch from the original story, and asked them to tell me a story. One girl in the first group told me the whole story, leaving nothing out, using almost exactly the wording I used. The next two groups needed a couple of people to contribute, but they got all the details.
Clearly this story has more going on in it than I first thought. At my church this weekend, the sermon title (to go with Luke 19:29-38, the first palm Sunday) was advertised as 'available for the Lord to use'. I immediately thought of the donkey.
Is truth only available from one perspective? Is there only ever one point to a story? If I miss the point, but get a point, is that wrong?
I wonder what the children are teaching me.
"Is truth only available from one perspective? Is there only ever one point to a story?"
ReplyDeleteHi Fiona, the answer to this question depends on you worldview I suppose.... whether you are more of a positivist or a constructivist (or anything in between)
Hello Annette =)
ReplyDeleteCould you expand on that? It's been a long time since Arts at Uni.
It reminds me of that kids' book about three trees. I can't remember the exact details, but they all get chopped down and one of them is made into an animal feed bin, one is made into a boat and one is made into a cross. The book is about Jesus, but told from the point of view of the trees. The kids always get it. It's just about approaching the point through the window instead of walking through the door.
ReplyDeleteI know the book. I haven't read it, but a child I know well is quite taken with the story, and loved it enough to ask me to buy the DVD. I think she read it at church.
ReplyDeleteI like your analogy. I guess the point is to come in, however you get there.
Thanks for the post, Fiona. It's great! Y'know, children aren't the only ones who wondered about the donkey:
ReplyDeleteTHE DONKEY
WHEN fishes flew and forests walked
And figs grew upon thorn,
Some moment when the moon was blood
Then surely I was born.
With monstrous head and sickening cry
And ears like errant wings,
The devil's walking parody
On all four-footed things.
The tattered outlaw of the earth,
Of ancient crooked will;
Starve, scourge, deride me: I am dumb,
I keep my secret still.
Fools! For I also had my hour;
One far fierce hour and sweet:
There was a shout about my ears,
And palms before my feet.
~G.K. Chesterton
ALWAYS more than one point to a story. That's what keeps the story alive.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful new set of Wondering Questions to have available for this story!
ReplyDeleteI've only just discovered your blog, and hope it's ok with you that I've linked to it from my blog: http://easterkind.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/a-overdue-hello.html