Tale to work jealousy and envy
Gerard and his two younger brothers lived with their parents in a beautiful pond near a village. He liked to jump between the rushes and throw himself into the water from any stone. Every day he jumped longer and watched with a mocking smile as his brothers tried to imitate him, without success, of course.
It was a family of special toads, there weren’t many like them. In animal books it was said that their species was becoming extinct and there were very few left. Therefore, the children of the village respected them and did not think of doing anything outrageous, so their life was quite quiet.
However, Gerard was not happy. He thought that his parents paid more attention to his two younger brothers than to him. Also, when the visiting family came, they almost always brought presents for them. He was told:
-You, as an adult, don't need toys or sweets.
"I'm not to blame for being born first." He said to himself as he looked at the water thoughtfully.
He understood that his parents had to spend more time caring for his siblings because they were very naughty and could not do anything alone, but it did not seem fair to him that they paid so little attention to him. He felt abandoned and began to want to be younger.
What Gerard didn't know was that someone was listening to his thoughts.
"Hello, Gerard," said a voice from the rushes. I am the Wise Wizard. Haven't you been told about me yet?
Gerard was frightened to hear his name and not to recognize that voice, but soon a large toad appeared between the reeds, different from them, carrying a very bright cane between his legs, as if it were gold, and a very strange cap on his head.
"I don't know who you are. I've never been told about you," replied Gerard.
-I've been taking care of you for a long, long time. I have known your ancestors and I must tell you that you are of a very special lineage, unfortunately on the verge of extinction. Since I am a magician I have heard your thoughts and decided to come and talk to you.
- Why do you want to talk to me? Gerard asked.
- Your thoughts tell me that you are a little jealous of your little brothers. Am I wrong?
- You are right. I would like to be younger and my parents pay more attention to me: being the big one is not at all pleasant.
- I can make your wishes come true: if I touch your head with this magic wand, you can be small again.
Is this what you really want?
- Yes, that's what I want.
-Okay, close your eyes and repeat three times: «I want to be small, I want to be small, I want to be small ... “.
When Gerard opened his eyes he was left with his mouth open. The rushes around him were very high, the raft had grown bigger, he could not see his parents there and he began to feel scared.
- Looks like, big, where are you? -He shouted scared.
No one answered him and decided to get out of the rushes and get into the pond. When he was finally in the water he saw a heron pounce on him with its huge beak and was about to be devoured. He had barely recovered from the fright when an otter jumped into the water directly at him. Her whole body trembled, but when she calmed down, she began to swim and swim until she finally reached familiar territory.
Then he saw in the distance his parents, and his brothers, who were sunbathing on the rocks.
- Hi, I'm Gerard, your son.
"You are not Gerard, do not deceive me," replied his mother.
Gerard is my eldest son and he is big and strong, and you are a tiny toad. Why do you want to pretend to be him?
- Mother, it's me. Now I am small because the wizard Saberut has made me small, very small, as I wanted.
His father came to look closely and said:
- You really look like Gerard, but you're not like him. Gerard is my eldest son and he is very brave and you look at him, you are trembling with fear. No, you're not Gerard. Also, why did Gerard want to be younger?
- Dad, I wanted to be smaller so you could pay more attention to me.
Gerard began to cry when he realized that he was not recognized. His parents and siblings turned their backs on him without understanding anything.
Sad and capcot start walking aimlessly. From time to time he looked back to see if they were coming for him, but night came and he was alone. He remembered his family, he wanted to be with them, he wanted to be older again. . .
"Hello, Gerard," the wizard Saberut suddenly appeared, "I have heard your thoughts, and I am here to talk to you."
- Please, Magician Saberut, make it big again.
My parents don't recognize me and since I was little I've been in great danger. I'm very scared.
- It's okay, Gerard, but think that if you grow up again, everything will be as it was before. If I touch your head with this magic wand you will grow up again. Is this what you really want?
- Yes, that's what I want.
- Okay, close your eyes and repeat: I want to grow up again, I want to grow up again, I want to grow up again…
When Gerard opened his eyes the first thing he heard were the voices of his parents and siblings looking for him.
- Gerard, Gerard! Were are you?
- I am here! - He shouted with all his might.
When they met, they all hugged very loudly crying with emotion.
- My son, where have you been? We all looked for you, we were very worried about you. What happened to you?
Gerard told them the story from beginning to end and then his father told him:
- Son, be careful what you want. You know that the Wise Man can make your wishes come true. I want you the way you are. Think about all the years that have passed since you grew up. Being older also has its advantages, don't you think?
Everyone laughed except their mother. who told him:
- Gerard, son, we all love you very much. Don't think that your father and I love your brothers more. When you were very young all our attention was on you, but now they are the little ones and that's why they need us so much. However, only you are the greatest and I am very proud of you.
Gerard hugged his parents and they all returned together to his pond
to continue enjoying his quiet life.
REFLECTIONS
- How does Gerard feel at the beginning of the story?
- How does Gerard feel at the end of the story?
- What wishes does the Wise Wizard grant you?
- Why do you think Gerard wants to be younger?
- Why then do you want to grow up again?
- Put yourself in Gerard's place and think about all the years that have passed since you were born. Are you happy to have these years?
- If you could ask the Wise Wizard for a wish, what would you ask?
- Write a different ending
- Draw Gerard and the Wise Wizard
- Each student grabs a "muppet" puppet, and manipulating the puppet makes a round of sentences:
I'm sad because
I'm happy because….
I'm scared because.
I'm jealous because.
I'm proud of….
I'm ashamed of.
With this activity the teacher will check if what the puppet is expressing has a direct link with what the child is feeling. Taking advantage of the situation, you can reflect with the children on the reason for the feeling and find solutions to the mood if the situation requires it.
(Emotional awareness)
(Emotional awareness)
