Tina Freeth as mythical goddess Guan Yin, interactive storytelling for young children.
Interactive Storytelling with Guan Yin
Chinese Myths and Legends
(for 5 - 8 years old)
Storytelling with the Chinese goddess Guan Yin is fun, interactive and suitable for children aged 5-8 years old. During the session children will learn a handful of Mandarin Chinese phrases such as greetings and numbers. They will also participate in demonstrations of gentle Chinese exercises, become fierce animals (or cute ones if they want to!) and listen to mythical tales from China. At the end there is a special quiz to see if they were listening!
The Creation Story (aka The Peacock Story)
There are many stories about how the earth was created, but this is a story is told by Guan Yin, who was around at the time before humans populated the earth (she's very old despite her youthful appearance). Listen to how the 10,000 species were in turmoil when she left them to fend for themselves as she went back to heaven on a cloud, and how she solved the problem with a magical wave of her hand.
Guan Yin telling the peacock story at Ledbury Library
The Four Dragons
Long ago, there were no rivers or lakes on the Earth, only the Eastern Sea. In this sea lived four dragons: the Long Dragon, the Yellow Dragon, the Black Dragon, and the Pearl Dragon. Hear how they saved the people of China and learn of the legacy they left behind.
Children at Ross Library being the Four Dragons
Did you know that Chinese people refer to themselves as "dragons" ? It's because of the dragon's spirit of strength and vitality. Unike the dragons in European mythology (like the evil fierce one Saint George fought or the one on the Welsh flag) which are considered to be evil and demonic (grrrrr), Asian dragons are regarded as wholesome and beneficent, and thus worthy of veneration, not slaying.
Photos from the recent Destination China events in Herefordshire 2009
Churning the golden sun
Making 'bricks of love' for the Great Wall of China
Listening to the Princess & the Hound Story
For more information about bookings please use the contact form
(Photos courtesy of S. Laws, Herefordshire Council)