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Some of the stories Louise tells…

These are a sample of the stories that Louise can tell. When booking a Storytelling Program talk to Louise about the topics that you are exploring with your class at the time of the program, so that the stories will connect to other key learning areas – reinforcing knowledge and skills through an integrated curriculum.

Demeter & Persephone - The Greek Myth about the great Earth Mother Demeter who leaves her treasured daughter Persephone on her own in a garden whilst she has a brief visit to Mt Olympus for some Goddess business. In her absence Persephone is carried into the Underworld by its King Hades. Demeter is totally devastated when she finds out what has happened to her daughter, she pleads to Zeus to help her return her daughter. (Suitable for upper-primary)

From theft to death – This is my great great grandparents’ story who were sent to Australia from England and Ireland as convicts for petty theft. They met each other after being released from the notorious Port Arthur Prison, and learnt the hard way how to establish a new life in a new country. (Suitable for upper-primary)

Old One Eye – This is an American folktale about an old woman who lives on her own in a cabin on the hills, spending her time carding wool. She has been saving her money and keeps a bag of gold by her chimney. Three robbers are intent on stealing it, but will they have the courage to overcome their fear of the old lady and her ways. (Suitable for primary)

Possum in my bed! - A personal story about a possum jumping on me whilst I was sleeping, and the adventures of getting it out of my bedroom. It is a humourous tale of cooperation, and clever ideas about protecting your body when handling possums. (Suitable for preschool and lower-primary)

Slop - A Welsh folktale about an old man and an old woman who every night after dinner dump all their slops into a bucket. Then the old man picks up the heavy bucket, carries it outside and pours it over the garden wall, not knowing that a wee couple live below. One day the wee man uses his magic to show the old man all the slops over his wee little house. The old man and the old woman are feel terrible about the mess that they have created, so they create a plan to solve the problem. The results are a rich compost heap. (Suitable for preschool and lower-primary)

The Banza - A Haitian folktale about one frightened goat who uses her voice and a special gift from a friend when surrounded by a pack of hungry tigers, to escape unscathed. (Suitable for preschool and lower-primary)

The Freedom Bird - A Thai folktale about the conflict between a hunter and a bird. It is a tale of strength and resilience that appeals to young children’s playful spirits. It is a useful seed for discussion about annoying and unfair behaviour and effective ways to build greater understanding and harmony. (Suitable for preschool and lower-primary)

The Grateful Snake - A Chinese folktale about a young boy – Zee - with a kind heart who is sent to search for ‘something of value’ by his mother. This takes him on a journey where he meets a ‘grateful snake’, a magic horse and magic rooster, but his search for something of value is delayed by his brother’s greedy tricks. Zee eventually realises and demands the return of his ‘something of value’.
(Suitable for primary)

The Greenish Bird - A Mexican folktale about a young woman – Luisa who spends most of her hours sewing in her bedroom, until she is visited by a Greenish bird, who is in fact an enchanted Prince. Her sisters badly injure the bird, so she sets of on a long journey to save the Greenish Bird. This is a magical tale with bizarre twists and turns, but ends happily ever after. (Suitable for upper-primary)

The Magic Blanket - is based loosely on the picture book ‘Something From Nothing’ by Phoebe Gilman, which stems from a traditional Jewish folktale. It is a tale of a young child growing up with her blanket, but as she grows her blanket changes with the help of her grandfather’s skills with scissors, a needle and some thread. This is great sequential tale that explores attachment, recycling and memories.
(Suitable for preschool and lower-primary)

The Rajah’s Big Ears - An Indian folktale about an Indian Rajah who has big ears, but no one knows because he always wears his turban. Before he gets married he gets his haircut and the barber sees his ears. The Rajah insists that the barber tells no one, but the barber has terrible trouble keeping it a secret. (Suitable for lower-primary)

The Three Strong Women - A Japanese folktale about Forever Mountain, a famous Sumo wrestler’s search for ultimate strength in preparation for the Emperor's Grand Tournament. Surprisingly Forever Mountain meets a young woman, her mother and her grandmother who all help in his quest for ultimate strength. This is a great story for challenging gender stereotypes. (Suitable for upper-primary)

Two Brothers - A West African folktale about a young brother who is mistreated by his older brother. He watches a mouse one night achieve amazing things, so he decided to go and live in the jungle to learn many important lessons from the animals. In time his brother and his village people fall dreadfully ill. The younger brother returns and cures their illness with the remedies that he has learnt from the animals. (Suitable for lower- primary)