Last Friday, we posted this painting by Robbi, and asked kids to tell us the story that came to mind when they looked at it.
As usual, kids came up with some wonderful stories, and luckily, they shared them with us.
Melody
You want the Fish??
“It was Mama bear’s birthday, and she got a fish. The fish was her favorite present because it was from Fox. The baby bears (her cubs) eyed the fish hungrily… they were very jealous and want the fish as a tasty snack.”
Valerie
The Penguinriffic Party
The big bear is going to the penguin’s party and he got a fish for the penguin. The baby bears are giving the penguin the balloons. They are really happy because they haven’t seen their friend, Penguin, in a long time. They go to the party and have fantastic time opening the presents and eating fish cake.
Paxon
The Mama Bear’s Birthday
The big bear is having a birthday party and the little bears are celebrating their mom’s birthday. They’re sad because they want it to be their birthday.
Tyler
The Bear’s Birthday
The little bears are holding ballons since they went to a party and the dad is holding a fish since somebody gave him the fish for his birthday. They’re walking home. The little bears want to eat the fish but the dad isn’t sharing with the kids so they’re sad.
Spencer
Gifts
There are three bears. The mama bear is giving a fish as a present to the little bears. She got it from the water. The little bears are happy so they’re giving a balloon to the mama bear. They got their balloons from a friend’s house. It makes them happy to share their gifts.
I like how each kid had a slightly different spin on the theme. Clearly, there was something birthday-related going on. Clearly there were large bears and small bears involved, and a balloon. But beyond that, we had a variety of supporting characters—a fox and a penguin, a mom and a dad. In one story the little bears are feeling jealous and in another they are feeling generous. In one story they are hungry, and in another they are happy to be reuniting with old friends.
I like how one simple picture can yield so many different interpretations. Isn’t it lucky that each of us have our own set of eyes, our own imaginations, and our own way of stringing words together to make a story?
I think so, anyway.
If anyone is particularly taken with Robbi’s painting, we have just posted it for auction on Ebay. Bidding will close at 12:30pm EST next Monday, March 11.