Hey Little Ant
Episode Number:
017
Show:
Please Tell Me A Story 
What would happen if…”
A children’s story, Hey Little Ant by Phillip and Hannah Hoose, astonishes me every time I tell it. Some might say it is too simplistic. However when I say the line “If you were me and I was you what would you want me to do?” -the words penetrate my heart. So many times I forget my to ask myself that question. Because I always want it to be about me -you know what I mean!!!
When I tell the story to a school age audience, it is fascinating to observe the children’s faces and hear the comment afterwards.
From a 5 year old: “We had ants in our kitchen and my Mom said we had to put traps out for them”
From an 8 year old: “Are little kids the ants and grownups the kid?”
9 year old boys: “Kill the ants kill the ants.”
9 year old girls: “No let’s pick them up and bring them back to their nest.”
Me: after listening to the children argue about who is right. “We all get to have our own opinions. Opinions are neither right nor wrong. They are simply what we each think.”
Silence. Then “Can we talk about our opinions in our classroom after this? We could make a list of what everyone thinks”
Me to Me “Anne-Louise listen to their wisdom.”
The children figure it out with out much help from the grownups.
The story does it all. And also reminds me that Black and White are usually not helpful. Shades of gray are where we can begin the conversation.
What would happen if…we all thought… ‘If you were me and I was you…’
And we have a conversation about the beautiful shades of gray!
Get the book!
What would happen if…”What do you think?
Love to you all,
Anne-Louise
www.anne-louise.com
Show Audio
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What would happen if…”
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