Submitted by Nikki Febinger, Rio Vista, Texas
Idea posted May 19, 2011
Once upon a time, in a deep, dark forest, there was a meadow filled with beautiful flowers. In those flowers lived beautiful fairies, who spent their days flying around and playing (embellish as much as you'd like).
In the forest lived the trolls. They were jealous of the fairies, and would chase them and try to pull their wings off. But the fairies would just fly away and laugh, "Ha, ha!"
One day the fairies flew a little too far, and when they started to fly home, their wings drooped, and they went slower and slower. The trolls saw this and began to chase the fairies. The fairies tried to fly faster, but they were too tired. Just as the trolls reached out their hands to grab the fairies...
Out of the forest burst knights in shining armor, riding grand white horses! They used their swords to chase away the trolls. The trolls ran away, going farther and farther into the woods, so that they could never come back again.
The knight bowed to the fairies, and the fairies danced and flew away back home.
I tell this story first, then let them listen to the music. It's very clear (once you know the story) what is happening! Then I let them act it out. Sometimes I appoint their roles, and sometimes I let them choose. The knights DO NOT kill the trolls! Very important point! This easily takes up a 30-minute class period, and all of my students, from Pre-K to 4th grade, love it!