We have been learning about Pourquoi Tales in reading in writing workshop. A Pourquoi Tale is a story that explains how something in nature came to be. Using Raven by Gerald McDermott as our mentor text each student wrote their own tale to share with the students of Mitchell School. Here's the story we co-wrote as a class.
Why the Sun Rests in the Sky
Long ago, the
world was cold, dark. In the quiet
stillness of the forest, all the animals were huddled together in their
homes. This made Owl sad. He decided to help. He flew.
He flew over mountains. He flew
over rivers. Finally, just over the horizon
was the glow of warmth and light.
Owl landed on the branch of an ancient
oak. As he was wondering about the
strange glow he noticed Fox slinking through the trees. “Fox! Fox! Did you notice that strange glow
beyond the trees?” “Ahhh…” Fox sighed, “that’s Bear’s house. He has the sun. He uses it to light the long dark nights and
warm his home.” Owl, who is both wise
and clever, didn’t think the sun should belong just to Bear, but to all the
plants and animals of the forest. Owl
flew off, following the light.
Owl flew.
He flew over mountains. He flew
over rivers. As he flew the light grew
brighter, stronger, warmer. At last when
Owl felt he could fly no more he saw a small house made of birchbark sitting
high among the towering trees. Just as
he was nearing Bear’s house, Owl changed himself into a leaf and floated gently
to a branch right outside Bear’s window.
As he rested, swaying in the breeze, Owl
could hear Bear mumbling…” I am Bear.
I’m the biggest, I’m the strongest…the light is all mine. I am Bear.
I’m the fastest…I’m the wisest…the warmth is all mine.” Owl could feel the light and warmth radiating
from the sun that Bear held in his lap.
Owl waited patiently. After
awhile, Bear got up and gently rested the sun on a stump near the window. All at once, Owl quickly changed from leaf to
animal, swooping from the branch and swiftly grabbing the sun in his talons.
Owl flew.
He flew higher and higher. When
he could climb no higher, he opened his wings wide, stretch his talons, and
released the sun into the sky. To this
day, the sun lives in the sky providing warmth and light for all living
things. And, to this day Bear hibernates
to avoid the long, cold, dark nights of winter.
And here we are sharing our stories with the 5th graders.
