Storytelling

Hello, Clever Storyteller!

Habari yako, mwanafunzi! Welcome to our exciting lesson on Storytelling. Have you ever listened to your shosho or guka tell a fascinating tale about the clever hare, the greedy hyena, or the brave warrior? That is storytelling! It is one of the oldest and most wonderful ways we share ideas, lessons, and fun. Today, you will learn how to become a great storyteller yourself!

What Makes a Story? The Three Magical Parts!

Every good story, whether it's about animals in the Maasai Mara or a boy in Nairobi, has three main parts. Think of it like building a house: you need a foundation, the walls, and a roof to make it complete!

• 1. The Beginning (The Foundation): This is where we meet our characters and learn where the story is happening (the setting). We also find out the problem or the adventure that is about to start.
  • Who? Is it Wanjikũ, the brave girl? Or Sungura, the clever hare?
  • Where? Is it in a village near Mount Kenya? Or deep in the Kakamega Forest?
  • What's the problem? Is there a terrible drought, or has Fisi the Hyena stolen all the food?
• 2. The Middle (The Walls & Rooms): This is the most exciting part! It's where all the action happens. The characters try to solve the problem. They might face challenges, meet new friends, or have a big adventure. This is where Sungura plays his clever tricks on Fisi!
• 3. The End (The Roof): This is how the story finishes. The problem is solved, and we learn a lesson, which is called the moral of the story. Does Wanjikũ save her village? Does Fisi learn not to be so greedy? A good ending makes the listener think.

We can draw this structure like a mountain, called the 'Story Mountain':

        / \
       /   \     <-- The Middle (The most exciting part, the CLIMAX!)
      /     \
     /       \
    /_________\
   /           \
Beginning       End
(Introduction)  (Conclusion)

Image Suggestion: A vibrant and colourful illustration of a Kenyan grandmother (shosho) with traditional attire, sitting on a stool under an acacia tree. She is animatedly telling a story to a group of eager and wide-eyed children of different ages, who are sitting on the ground around her. The sunset over the savannah is in the background.

Why Do We Tell Stories?

Storytelling is more than just fun. It is very important! We tell stories to:

• Teach Lessons: Stories like "Why the Tortoise has a Cracked Shell" teach us about being humble and not being boastful.
• Entertain: Funny stories about Abunuwasi make us laugh and feel happy.
• Share Our History: Elders tell us stories about our heroes, our communities, and how Kenya came to be. It is how we remember our past.
• Spark Imagination: Stories let us travel to magical lands, meet amazing creatures, and dream of new worlds without ever leaving our seats!

Let's Look at a Famous Kenyan Story

Do you know the story of the Hare and the Hyena? Let's break it down using our three magical parts.

The Story of the Clever Hare and the Greedy Hyena

Beginning: There was a great famine in the land. All the animals were hungry. Sungura the Hare came up with a plan to get food. He told Fisi the Hyena that they could pretend one of their mothers had died to get food from the other animals.

Middle: They first went and tricked the animals by saying Fisi's mother had passed away, and they got a lot of food, which Fisi greedily ate all by himself. When it was Sungura's turn, he secretly hid his mother. He then tricked Fisi into a terrible situation involving a boiling pot, which Fisi fell into because of his greed and impatience!

End: Sungura saved his mother and had enough food for them. Fisi, on the other hand, was badly burnt and learned a painful lesson. The moral of the story is that greed does not pay, and it is better to be clever and patient.

Image Suggestion: A cartoon-style digital illustration of Sungura the Hare (small, clever-looking) and Fisi the Hyena (larger, looking foolish and greedy). They are in a sunny African savannah setting. Sungura is pointing towards a village in the distance, explaining his "clever" plan to Fisi, who is rubbing his tummy in anticipation.

Your Turn to Be a Star Storyteller!

Being a good storyteller is like being a magician! Here are some secret tips to make your stories sparkle:

1. Use Your Voice: Don't speak in one flat tone. Make your voice deep and scary for a lion, and small and squeaky for a mouse. Whisper when there's a secret, and shout when there's a surprise!
2. Use Your Face and Body: Open your eyes wide when a character is surprised. Frown when they are sad. Use your hands to show how big the giant was or how fast the gazelle ran. This is called body language.
3. Ask Questions: Keep your listeners involved! Ask things like, "And what do you think happened next?" or "Would you have been as brave as Wanjikũ?"
4. Use Powerful Words: Instead of saying "The sun was hot," you could say, "The sun beat down on the land like a hot panga!" This paints a better picture in the listener's mind.

Your Assignment!

Now it's your chance to practice! Think of your favourite story. It could be one your parents told you, or one you read in a book.

• Step 1: Identify the Beginning, Middle, and End of the story.
• Step 2: Think about the moral of the story. What lesson does it teach?
• Step 3: Tonight, tell that story to your family or friends. Use your voice, your face, and your hands to make it as exciting as possible!

Remember, every story you tell is a gift. Keep sharing them and keep listening. You are now part of a long line of great Kenyan storytellers. Well done!

Hello Storyteller! Let's Dive into the Magical World of Stories!

Habari mwanafunzi! Have you ever listened to a story that made you laugh, feel scared, or learn something new? Maybe your shosho (grandmother) or guka (grandfather) told you a fascinating tale about the clever hare, Sungura, or the greedy hyena, Fisi. Today, we are going to learn how YOU can become a fantastic storyteller!

Image Suggestion: A vibrant, colourful digital illustration of a Kenyan grandmother (shosho) sitting on a traditional stool under a large baobab tree at sunset. She is animatedly telling a story to a group of three fascinated children sitting around a small, crackling bonfire. The style should be warm and inviting, like a children's storybook.

What is a Story?

A story is like a journey we take with our words. It has a beginning, a middle, and an end. Every good story needs three special ingredients to make it tasty and exciting for the listeners. Let's call them the Three Story Spices!

• Characters: These are the 'who' in the story. They can be people, animals, or even magical creatures! Think of Simba the Lion or Sungura the Hare.
• Setting: This is the 'where' and 'when' of the story. Is it in a bustling market in Nairobi? A quiet village in the savanna? Or long, long ago on the slopes of Mount Kenya?
• Plot: This is the 'what happened' in the story. It’s the adventure! It has a beginning, a middle part with some action or a problem, and an end where the problem is solved.

The Shape of a Story: The Story Mountain!

Imagine your story is like climbing a mountain. You start at the bottom, climb up to the most exciting part, and then come down to the end. This is the plot!

      / \
     /   \  <-- The Exciting Middle (The Problem!)
    /     \
   /       \
  /         \
 /           \
/_____________\
^               ^
|               |
The Beginning   The End
(Meet the        (Problem is solved)
characters)

Example Story:

(Beginning) One sunny morning, Sungura the Hare was feeling very hungry. He saw a beautiful field of carrots on the other side of a big river where Mr. Crocodile lived.
(Middle) "How will I cross?" Sungura wondered. He had a clever idea! He shouted to the crocodile, "Mr. Crocodile! The King wants me to count all the crocodiles in this river for a big feast!" The greedy crocodiles lined up like a bridge, and Sungura hopped on their backs, counting them loudly. "One, two, three..."
(End) When he reached the other side, he shouted, "Thank you for the bridge, silly crocodiles!" and ran off to enjoy the carrots. The crocodiles were very angry, but clever Sungura was already munching happily.

How to Be an Amazing Storyteller!

Just knowing a story isn't enough. A great storyteller brings the story to life! Here are the four secret powers of a great storyteller:

1. Your Voice is a Musical Instrument: Don't speak in one flat tone.
   • Speak softly when a character is whispering a secret.
   • Speak loudly and boldly when the Lion King roars!
   • Speak quickly when there is an exciting chase.
2. Your Face Tells the Story: Show feelings with your face!
   • Open your eyes wide when you describe something surprising.
   • Smile when the characters are happy.
   • Frown when a character is sad or angry.
3. Your Hands Can Paint Pictures: Use gestures to help your audience see the story.
   • Show how tall the giraffe is by raising your hand high.
   • Show how small the mouse is with your fingers.
   • Move your hands like you are running during a chase scene.
4. Your Eyes are Magic Connectors: Look at your friends (your audience) when you tell the story. This makes them feel like they are part of the adventure!

Image Suggestion: A cartoon-style infographic showing a Kenyan child storyteller demonstrating the four powers. One panel shows the child whispering with a finger to their lips (Voice). Another shows them with wide, surprised eyes (Face). A third shows their hands spread far apart to show 'big' (Hands). The last shows them making eye contact with cartoon listeners (Eyes).

Your Turn to Shine!

Now you have all the secrets to being a fantastic storyteller! Your task is to become the storyteller.

Activity:

Ask an older family member—a parent, auntie, uncle, or grandparent—to tell you their favourite traditional story. Listen carefully! Pay attention to the characters, the setting, and the plot. Then, practice telling that story using your new storyteller powers: your voice, your face, and your hands!

Be ready to share your wonderful story with the class. We can't wait to hear it!

Habari Mwanafunzi! Welcome to the World of Stories!

Do you love listening to stories? Stories told by your shosho or guka by the warm fire? Stories about the clever little hare, the greedy hyena, or the brave warriors of long ago? Of course, you do! Stories are magic. Today, we are going to learn how to become master storytellers ourselves. Are you ready? Let's begin our adventure!

Image Suggestion: A warm and inviting digital painting of a Kenyan grandparent (shosho) sitting on a traditional stool by a crackling fireplace, surrounded by two wide-eyed children. The shosho is gesturing with her hands as she tells a story. The style should be colourful, friendly, and slightly cartoonish.

What Makes a Story? The Magic Ingredients!

Every delicious meal has special ingredients. A good story is just like that! To tell a fantastic story, you need a few magic ingredients. Let's see what they are:

• Characters: These are the 'who' in your story. It can be a person, an animal, or even a magical creature! Think of Sungura the clever Hare, or a brave girl from your village named Akinyi.
• Setting: This is the 'where' your story happens. Is it in the big city of Nairobi? On the grassy plains of the Maasai Mara? Or deep in the Kakamega Forest? The setting helps us imagine the world of the story.
• The Problem: Oh no! Something happens! This is the 'what' of the story. Maybe there is a big drought and there is no water. Or maybe Fisi the Hyena wants to steal all the food! A problem makes the story exciting.
• The Solution: This is how the characters solve the problem. Does the clever Sungura trick the Fisi? Do the villagers work together to find water? The solution is the exciting end to the adventure!

Our Super Story Formula!

Just like in math, we can use a simple formula to build our story. It helps us remember all the parts so our story makes sense. It's as easy as 1 + 1!

    The Magical Story Formula
    *************************

    Step 1: BEGINNING (Who? Where?)
            +
    Step 2: MIDDLE (The Problem!)
            +
    Step 3: END (The Solution!)
    =========================
    A WONDERFUL STORY!

Let's See it in Action: The Tale of the Thirsty Crow

Now, let's use our formula with a story you might know. See if you can spot the Beginning, the Middle, and the End.

(BEGINNING) Once upon a hot, sunny day in Tsavo, a very thirsty Crow was flying everywhere looking for water. He saw a pot on the ground, but the water was too low for his beak to reach.

(MIDDLE) This was a big problem! The Crow was very clever, though. He saw small stones on the ground. He got an idea! He started picking up the stones one by one and dropping them into the pot.

(END) With each stone he dropped, the water level rose higher and higher. Soon, the water was high enough for him to drink! He drank all the water he wanted and happily flew away. The lesson? A little bit of thinking can solve a big problem!

Your Turn to be the Storyteller!

You have learned the secret ingredients and the magic formula. Now, you are the storyteller! It's your time to create some magic. What story will you tell?

Here are some ideas to start your adventure:

• Start with a magical phrase like "Long, long ago, when animals could talk..."
• Think of a character. How about a brave little monkey who lives near Mount Kenya?
• Give your character a problem. Maybe a big eagle has taken his favourite banana!
• How does he solve it? Does he ask his friends for help?

Remember our little friend, Sungura the Hare? He is cheering for you!

          __
         /  \
        / ..|\
       (_\  |_)
       /  \@'
      /     \
    _/\_  _/_/
   |oo| /
   |oo|/
   |oo|\
   |oo| \
   |o/  |
   \o\  |
    `'  |
        |
        |

Image Suggestion: A vibrant, sunlit scene showing a young Kenyan child standing confidently in front of their classmates who are sitting on the grass under a large acacia tree. The child is animatedly telling a story, using hand gestures, with a joyful expression. The other children are listening intently, looking captivated.

You Are an Amazing Storyteller!

Fantastic work today! Remember, every great story has a beginning, a middle, and an end. It has interesting characters, a clear setting, and an exciting problem that gets solved.

Now go on, share your stories with your friends, your teachers, and your family. The world is waiting to hear them! Kwaheri!