Tales as Old as Time

Year 3 started the Summer Term with a fabulous performance from the Aesop’s Touring Theatre Company who both entertained and educated, teaching us about Aesop himself and performing both popular and lesserknown fables. The morals of the fables inspired some new ones from the children.

by Ben Tomlinson, Year 3

Once there was a fish and this fish you see, was very boastful. He did try to make friends but they never were for long. He lived on a reef with coral of many shapes and sizes. There were big ones, small ones and even ones that looked like something. It was a wonderful place. One day, the fish had no one to boast to so he came up with a plan. I know how to attract some attention, he giggled. He swam up on top of a red piece of coral and shouted, “Shark shark! A shark is chasing me - help!” All of the fish came rushing to his aid but when they got there, there was no shark. “Don’t do that again!” snapped some fish and then they all swam off and got on with what they were doing. The fish looked all over the reef for someone to boast to but had no success. Alright, he chuckled, I guess I’ll just have to use the trick so once again he swam on top of the red coral and shouted at the top of his voice, “Shark shark! A shark is really chasing me this time!” Once again the fish came rushing to his aid. A few mumbled it had better be real this time but once again there was no shark. The shoal fumed at him, puce with rage, but in the end got on with what they were doing. But one day a real shark came. The fish screamed in terror and swam as fast as he could but the shark was ready and he gave chase, weaving in and out of coral, desperately shouting for help. But no one came so the fish was left alone. Soon his fins got tired but he knew he had to keep going. He swam on and on but eventually the shark caught him but the fish managed to get out of the sharks grasp and hide in coral. When he got back to the shoal he was panting heavily. He said, “Where were you? I was being chased by a shark!” “How could we have known as you have lied to us twice?” Moral: No one believes a liar, even when he tells the truth.

Tudor morning and afternoon was enjoyed by Year 4 as Ufton Court came in to entertain us with a carousel of activities learning about Tudor games, monarchs, explorers and rich and poor lifestyles. The visit was finished with the children learning and taking part in a Tudor dance to music traditional of the time. The children came away with a real appreciation of life at this crucial time in history.