The world of Tzu Chi (Vol.107)

TZU CHI 107 17 Discovering a world of stories An invitation to a storytelling session is a delight to eager children and curious parents, as they venture into the world of stories. By Lau Chew Leng & Tan Kim Hion Translated by Choo Suet Fun Photograph by Lim Chin Shein R eading a story opens up a brand new world. Such is the enduring charm of children’s literature. A storytelling space was specially installed at the Year-end Blessing Ceremony at the KL Tzu-Chi Jing Si Hall, hosting storytelling sessions conducted by educators and volunteers, who introduced visitors to an array of children’s storybooks. The fascinating world of fables Before launching into the story at hand, the teacher portrayed the part of a character from the story – a little piglet – to capture the attention of the young audience. In return, the children and their parents did not hesitate to respond enthusiastically to the teacher’s prompts. Adopting a lively tone and expressive physical gestures, the teacher transitioned seamlessly between role-playing the different animal characters featured in the story, from the little piglet to the big bad wolf and even the black bear. The animated narration and imaginative storyline aroused the interest of both children and parents alike. Joyful laughter resonated throughout the entire storytelling session, from start to finish. “I have never encountered such children’s fables before, nor have I ever read any children’s pictorial books. It turns out children’s fables are not only enjoyable, but also uplifting,” said