THE OPTIMIST VS THE PESSIMIST

VALUES: Optimism; Looking on the bright side;Attitude;

Enthusiasm.
STORY: Theres this story that is told about identical twin boys. One of them was
a
cheerful, outgoing optimist. He had a positive outlook on life and always
looked on the bright of things. His brother, however, was a sad, unhappy
pessimist. He had a negative outlook on life.The parents were very worried
because they could not understand how identical twins could be so different
and so they decided to take the boys to visit the local doctor.
The doctor spoke to the boys and the parents and then suggested a plan of
action to try to lift the spirits of the sad child. He organized for the boys to be
placed in separate rooms.The pessimist was placed in a brightly-painted room,
filled with all sorts of wonderful, interesting toys, while the optimist was
placed in a dull, unpainted room half filled with a large amount of horse
manure.The doors were closed and the boys were left alone for an hour.
When the time was up, the parents opened the door into the brightly-painted
room.To their dismay, the pessimist was sitting, crying, exactly where they had
left him, the toys untouched.When asked why he was crying, he sobbed, I
dont have anyone to play with!The parents then approached the second
door through which they could hear loud shouting and whistling.Anxiously,
they threw open the door and, to their amazement, they found their son
running wildly around the room, yelling, whistling and throwing handfuls of
the horse manure into the air.What are you doing? they asked.Well,
replied the excited little boy,with all this horse manure lying around, I guess
theres got to be a pony hiding in this room and Im going to find him!

NAILS IN THE FENCE

VALUES: Self-control; Forgiveness
STORY: Once upon a time there was this boy who had a very bad temper. He
became
cross for very little reason and often said ugly and hurtful things to others
when he was angry. His father decided to help him control his anger. He gave
his son a bag of long nails and told him to hammer one nail into the wooden
fence around the house every time he lost his temper.
On the first day, the boy had to hammer six nails into the fence but, during
the next few weeks, the number of nails in the fence became fewer and fewer.
Eventually the day arrived when he turned proudly to his dad and told him
that a whole day had gone by and he had not had to hammer a nail into the
fence. His father was very happy and then said,Now, son, pull one nail out of
the fence for each day that you do not lose your temper.
Again, a few weeks passed and, finally, the boy was able to tell his dad that all
the nails were out of the fence. His father took him by the hand, led him back
to the fence and said:Youve done very well my son, but look carefully at the
fence. Can you see all the scars left in the fence by the nails? The fence will
never be the same again.
When you say something ugly or unkind to someone, your words leave a scar
on that person, just like the holes in this fence. It doesnt matter how many
times you say you are sorry, you cannot really fix your unkindness. So, think
before you speak and, if you cannot say something good or kind, then rather
dont say anything at all!

Earth day
Scene 1: At Home________________________________________________
A student returns home from school. While eating dinner, she discusses her day
with her parents. The end of April is approaching and her school [insert your
school name] is preparing for its Earth Week festivities. Teachers and students
have been talking about the weeks event and she cant wait excitement is in
the air! She tells her parents that Earth Week events begin tomorrow and that
she will participate in a day of tree planting; bring a litterless lunch, and even
wear something green! After helping her parents clean up after dinner, she
heads
off to bed. As she falls asleep she thinks of all that she has learned about Earth
Day so far.
Student:
Hi Dad!
Dad:
Youre home a bit later than usual,
how was your day?
Student:
Oh Dad, today was sooo exciting.
Mrs. Ali taught us all about the history
of Earth Day and she spoke about
all the fun activities that were going
to do for Earth Day.
Dad:
Really?
Student:
Yep! Our school is planning to

have a week of festivities to celebrate

how much we care about our earth.
Im so excited I can hardly wait!
Dad:
Lets sit down and have some dinner.
Your Mom and I prepared your favourite dish!
Mom:
And while we eat you can tell us
all about the activities.
They sit around the dinner table.
Mom:
So, whats the plan for tomorrow?
Are you going around the community
and picking up garbage?
Student:
Nope, thats Friday, along with an assembly
and guest speaker. Tomorrow we are planting
trees, bringing in litterless lunches and wearing green.
Does anyone know wear my green overalls are?
Dad:
Well have a look for them; well make sure that
you are as green as can be.
Student:
Im so eager to plant trees; Ive never done that
before. This is my first Earth Day celebrationall my
friends are so thrilled. The class that plants the most
trees wins a prize, were going to win for sure!
Mom:

I bet you will, now help us clean up the dinner table

and off to bed you go!
Student: (pleadingly)
Do I have to?
Mom:
Yes, dear.
They clean up the table.
Student: (She heads to her
bed, already laid out in the middle of the
stage)
Good night!
Parents (in unison):
Sweet dreams!
Parents exit.
Narrator:
As she falls asleep, she thinks only of tomorrows
festivities.
Curtains Close
Scene 2: Her Dream_______________________________________________
The purpose of this scene is to provide students with a background of the history
of Earth Day, to make them aware of the environmental degradation occurring
then and now, and finally, ways in which students can act to help make our Earth
healthier.
Wisconsin Governor Gaylord Nelson (speaking to the history of Earth Day) will
be in the middle of the stage, surrounded by the three groups (each representing
a type of environmental degradation). Each group will be on stage at the same
time as the governor. He will stand behind a podium discussing the
creation/development/successes of Earth Day. As the governor speaks about

each type of environmental degradation, the corresponding group will act out
their part accordingly.
Curtains Open
Narrator:
Its 2005 and Wisconsin Governor Gaylord Nelson
is making a speech about Earth Day.
Governor: (in 1970s attire)
Good afternoon and thank you for attending todays
event. How many of you are aware of the history of
Earth Day? [Pause] Well, heres a bit of history that
you might be interested in. In 1963, I began to worry
about our planet, it was becoming more and more
degraded, pollution was evident and plants and other
species were disappearing. I began to talk with
lawmakers in the US and to the president at the time,
President Kennedy, about going around the country
and telling people about these environmental
concerns. However, while he did go around the
country speaking of these concerns, this did not get
the attention of enough of the country and
environmental degradation continued. I worried that
the affects would be detrimental to the health of our
environment.
Pausefirst group proceeds with their segment
First Group: Air pollution group
Without speaking, this group (wearing white and symbolizing air) will stand
together in a group of 5 or more while 2 other students dressed in red will burst
through the wall of white representing holes in the ozone. The red will represent

chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), halons, carbon tetrachloride, and methyl chloroform

(option: have students in red hold or paste a sign on themselves that reads:
CFCs).
Move to second group
Second Group: Deforestation group
Without speaking, this group of 5 (wearing green) will have their hands in the air,
standing tall and swaying (resembling trees). After a few seconds most will
eventually fall to the ground representing trees being cut down and the spoiling
of
natural wilderness.
Move to third group
Third Group: Water group
Without speaking, this group of 5 (wearing blue) will all lay on the ground
symbolizing a river, watershed. Pollution (those wearing brown) will come up
from behind and will lie down beside them representing pollutants entering the
water stream and remaining there for long periods of time.
Back to the Governors speech
Governor:
In 1969, I was still very concerned so I came up with
another idea. I decided to have one special day to
teach everyone about all the things that had to
change in our environment to make it healthier. That
day was EARTH DAY. The first Earth Day was held
on April 22, 1970, with the help of Harvard University
Student Denis Hayes and it was a major success.
Since then, Earth Day celebrations have spread all
over the country, and especially in Canada. Today,
more than 6 million Canadians join 500 million people
in over 180 countries in staging events and projects to

address local environmental issues. Nearly every

school child in Canada takes part in an Earth Day
activity.
[pause]
So, you want to know how to make every day Earth
Day? Make a promise to the Earth to stop
environmental degradation by: Spreading the
message to your family and friends that idling their
vehicles causes air pollution. Try taking public
transportation!
First group (Air pollution group) walks of the stage.
You can adopt a "zero waste" frame of mind at
school, home, in your everyday-lives. All you have to
do is remember the 3 Rs reduce, reuse, recycle.
Also, how about planting some trees?
Second Group (Deforestation group) walks of the stage
Also, let everyone know that dumping garbage,
household cleaners, pesticides, or oil down a storm
sewer drain is harmful to the watercourse. Paint a
yellow fish on storm drains in your area to remind
your community that what goes down the drains ends
up in our water systems
Third Group (Water) walks of the stage
Thats not all you can do! I challenge you and your
class to think of more ways to help our planet. It only
takes a small group of people to make big changes in
the world. I wish you all a wonderful Earth Day!
Curtains Close

Scene 3: Back in students room ____________________________________

Mum:
Wake up, its time for school. How did you sleep?
Student:
I had a great sleep mom, I dreamt all about
Earth Day. Thanks for getting my clothes ready, Dad!
I have to run, I dont want to be late for tree planting!
All:
Bye!
Student exits off stage with her litterless lunch, dressed in green with a big smile
on her face!
THE END