Submitted by Mary Lou Palmer  

In memory of the passing of Muzz Ebright,  Jean Yale read his  original story  called "The Backward Goose". "Esoog" is an Ugly Duckling type  unique  and  feathery  little  fellow .   Unlike everyone else in the flock, Esoog flies backward which gives him a  special perspective on things.  "I don't know where I am going, but I know where I have been!", he says as he saves his friends from "Big Trouble"  the Duck Hawk. The story teaches about the problem of bullying and offers many interesting facts about geese.  Thank you for sharing this dear story with us Jean.

Janice Koppang  gave us a head start on  April's National  Poetry  Month as she cheerfully recited "Snowmen at Night" by Caralyn Buehner.   As it turns out, those friendly frozen fellows don't just stand around all night waiting for us to come and play with them in the day light! Janice reminded us of bygone school days when we were often required to memorize poems. Not so much much today. Children love poetry, it comes naturally to them as Rhythm and Rhyme bounce their bodies and busy their minds.  Memorizing and reciting Poetry helps  develop  language skills and confidence  and   engages the imagination and emotions.  Thank for emphasizing the joy and importance of poetry and for sharing  this playful  imaginative  poem Janice!  

Snowmen At Night - Grandview Library 

Snowmen At Night. One wintry day I made a snowman, very round and tall. The next day when I saw him,. He was not the same at all! His hat had slipped, his... http://www.grandviewlibrary.org/PDFS/Poetry/SnowmenAtNight.pdf 

Poetry Memorization: Methods and Resources | The Well-Trained ... 

Memorization improves vocabulary; students who memorize poetry learn a wide... and expression - helps to "set" memorized pieces in the student's memory.

http://www.welltrainedmind.com/poetry-memorization-methods-and-resources/

Pat Malone crafted and shared a personal story of his youth...so forthright  so witty...so Pat! The year was 1955. Young Donald Carl Malone enrolled in Pueblo College where he was interested and eager to learn yet very quiet and shy.  He didn't go to parties , proms or on dates...Ice Cream Socials?  He liked  Ice Cream, but  the " Social"  part  scared  him   to   death!!  Bashful and shy as he was, his Professor and friends felt that he would make a fine addition to the Speech Team.  Donald became a member and was soon participating in a competition at  St. John's College  in  Winfield  Kansas.  Pat says " I may be shy, but I'm Irish!", which led him to do well in the  Extemporaneous and Impromptu categories.

He was chosen to give an impromptu speech for his team during the  Banquet on the last night of the Meet. Pat nervously awaited his topic as a Judge handed him a slip of paper upon which his topic was written....

"THE PERIODIC TABLE OF THE ELEMENTS"!!!????!!   

Donald strode boldly to the podium and...the Blarney kicked in! He found himself able to speak flowingly and creatively on the subject " the Marvelous Orderliness of Nature as exemplified in the table of the elements.....", and...."Hydrogen and Helium sticking up on each end like the Ears of a Dog....".  Donald Malone realized that he had gained the confidence and resolve  which would guide him and lead him to his future career as a...STORYTELLER.

After Pat told that great story, he accepted a request to tell a very funny Israeli Folk Tale about an incident which occurred long, long ago. Pat's talent for the Impromptu and dynamic language was evident as he "launched" into a little known episode on Noah's Ark.  On the crowded Ark, the unwieldy elephants had moved around  causing  imbalance on the craft, nearly tipping it over.  Noah's  wife, Emzara, devised a clever plan which caused each animal in turn to set off a hysterical chain of events to correct the situation.  Among many other funny things, the hyenas were tickled, the lion's tails were stepped on, the zebras kicked over a barrel etc., eventually causing the mice to scare the elephants into shifting  position and righting the listing vessel..and you know the rest!

Thank you for sharing these stories with us and with all those lucky children over the years  Pat.  We will greatly miss you. Happy Trails and Happy Tales to you!