A Thanksgiving Story To Remember

I found this story on Speaker Bob Prentice's Mr Attitude Site

 

 

The Hand

Author Unknown

A Thanksgiving Day editorial in the newspaper told of a school teacher who asked her class of first-graders to draw a picture of something they were thankful for. She thought of how little these children from poor neighborhoods actually had to be thankful for. But she knew that most of them would draw pictures of turkeys or tables with food. 

The teacher was taken aback with the picture Douglas handed in a simple childishly drawn hand.

But whose hand? The class was captivated by the abstract image. 

"I think it must be the hand of God that brings us food," said one child. 

"A farmer," said another, "because he grows the turkeys." 

Finally when the others were at work, the teacher bent over Douglas' desk and asked whose hand it was. 

"It's your hand, Teacher," he mumbled.

She recalled that frequently at recess she had taken Douglas, a scrubby forlorn child, by the hand. She often did that with the children. But it meant so much to Douglas. 

Perhaps from this story, we can learn that one of the most important things that you and I can give someone is a hand that reaches out to them in love.

Click here  for more on stories and storytelling Stories Touch Our Lives

Mr. Moore, Do You Remember Telling the Story About Josephine?

Why Telling Stories is a Must For Teachers, Speakers and Parents

I once met a former student I hadn't seen since his senior year in High School. After we made the usual comments about how nice it was to see one another he looked at me and said, " Mr. Moore, do you remember telling us the story about Josephine?" I replied, " Yes I do. Don't tell me you remember that story after all these years?" He then proceeded to tell me the entire story in detail. I couldn't believe it.

I'm sure he couldn't tell me anything about the academic content I covered in his senior year, but he recalled every detail of that story. It was amaziing.

Note: The story was used to get my students discussing a relevant issue within society...Racism.

My belief in the power of story to promote attenion and retention was validated then and continues to be in my contact with audiences throughout North America.

If you want to teach a lesson that will be recalled long after you are gone, tell a story.

For more on the Art of Storytelling plus a free copy of my 30 Life Lesson Stories CLICK HERE

New Story: Lesson From An Aged Mother

A son went to visit his 85 year old mother in a nursing home
to take her for a drive in the country. As they were leaving
her room he noticed that she had forgotten her cane. " Don't
forget your cane, Mom," he said.

She looked at him sternly and told him, in no uncertain
terms, that it wasn't a cane. It was a walking stick.

"What's the difference?" the son asked.

She quickly replied, " A cane speaks of disability while a
walking stick speaks of ability."

CASE CLOSED!!!

I was the son in the story. Mom died July 18, 2008 at the wonderful age of 94. What an attitude she had.

More Stories Here

The Secrets to Power Storytelling Revealed