Cooperation+Story

There was once a great and beautiful lake of pure water.. Around the lake living in the bushes were many locusts and enjoying the cool mud many frogs.

One day it stopped raining. It didn't rain for days, It didn't rain for weeks, It didn't rain for months, It didn't rain for years.....it was a drought and that beautiful lake got smaller, and smaller, and smaller, until there was nothing left but a series of mud puddles.

One day frog woke up and said, "If it does not rain soon, surely I will die. I remember there were some words my father used to sing that made the great rain god bring rain. What were those words?" Frog thought and thought and finally he remembered -- "Oh yes," he said, it was "RAAAAAAIN, RRRAAAAAIN, RRRRRAAAAAIIINNNN"

The great rain god who lived high above the mountains, high above the clouds, did not hear the sound of just ONE frog singing, but Locust heard. She was awakened from her beauty sleep (I stretch and imitate frog here---as she wakes and appears disgusted by frog's singing!)

Oh, would you listen to that Frog singing? I don;'t know why he fancies himself a good singer. He is terrible," said Locust. I will just go and tell him to be quiet, she said. And that is what she did......

"But Locust," said Frog, "If it doesn't rain soon, not only will I die, but you will too!

Locust thought about that --- Frog was right---she hated it when frog was right! Oh, all right, she said. But let me sing the song -- if I were the rain god, I would not bring rain when I heard you singing! The she began to sing the song. It sounded like this, RAAAAIN(up high raaaain) (down lowRAAAIN)

But the great rain god who lived high above the mountains, high above the clouds, did not hear the sound of just ONE Locust singing, But all the other frogs and locusts heard thel sounds and they joined in the song (here have the kids join the song by dividing up the room into half locusts and half frogs. Usually a teacher will help keep the opposing teams on track and as they sing you say,......and IT GOT LOUDER, AND LOUDER, AND LOUDER, AND LOUDER....UNTIL......(USE A GRAND SWEEPING GESTURE TO END THE SONG)

And the great rain god who lived high above the mountains, high above the clouds heard the song and he reached out and gathered the fluffy white clouds to himself until the were dark and heavy with rain. They slid down the mountainside ---use you arms to mimic the sliding clouds. and the wind blew (makde the wind blowing whistle thunder rolled (paddle your knees to made the thunder sound,) the lightning flashed --- (clap your hands together )--- and the rain began to fall from the sky (snap your fingers and encourage the kids to do the same for the sounds of the rain pelting the earth!) until the lake once again filled up and was beautiful once again.....and frog and locast lived happily ever after.

Now, I learned this tale from Kathleen Summit who lived among the Pueblo tribes of Northern New Mexico, and I don't remember what the word was in Navaho, but I do remember it in English--- it was COOPERATION -- FOR WHEREVER TWO OR MORE ARE GATHERED TOGETHER --- WE CAN ACCOMPLISH MUCH!

Kids love this story --- and can retell it well!!! Best Wishes, Karen