‘A“thinking story” (inthe form ofa European folktale) to help your child think creatively. Recommended for use when discussing or teaching about fall, apples, seeds, creative thinking, creative art, self-expression, and more! ep eT Story adapted by Barbara Childs, of Miss B’s Classroom {www.missbsclassroom.com} Once upon a time there was a young boy who played all day long. One day, he got so bored with his own toys and games that he asked his mother, “What can | do?” His mother, who was full of won- derful ideas, told him, “I know about a little red house with no doors and no windows and a star inside. Why don’t you try to find it?” The boy's eyes grew wide with wonder. “Which way shall | go?" he asked. “How can I find the little red house with no doors and no windows and a star inside?" “Go down the lane, past the farmer's house, and over the hill,” said his mother. “Come back as soon as you can and tell me all about your journey.” So the young boy started down the lane. He hadn't walked very far, when he came toa girl who was dancing and singing in the sunshine. “Do you know where I can find alittle red house with no doors and no windows and a star inside?” asked the boy. The little girl laughed and said, "No. I don’t know. But why don't you ask my father. He's a farmer and he might know.” So the young boy walked on until he came to a big, red barn. The farmer himself was standing in the doorway looking out over his green pastures. “Do you know where I can find a little red house with no doors and no windows and a star inside?" asked the boy. ‘The farmer laughed and said, “I've lived a long time and I have never seen one. Butask Granny who es at the foot of the hill. She knows how to make molasses taffy, popcorn balls, and red mittens. Perhaps she can help you.” So the young boy walked on until he saw Granny sitting in her pretty garden of herbs and flowers. She was as wrinkled as a walnut and smiling like the sunshine. “Please dear Granny,” said the young boy, “do you know where I can find a little red house with no doors and no windows and a star inside?”Granny was knitting a red mitten, and when she heard the boy’s question she laughed “I would like to find that little house myself,” she said. Perhaps you should ask the wind, because the wind goes everywhere and I'm sure it can help you.” ‘The young boy waved good-by to Granny and began walking up the hill. He was beginning to wonder if maybe his mother had made a mistake about the ‘Little Red House’. Suddenly, the young boy felt the gentle wind at his back and he called out, “Wind! Do you know where I can find a little red house with no doors and no windows and a star inside?” The wind replied, “WHOOOO! WHOOOO0000! WHOO00000000!" which sounded like, “Come follow met” to the young boy. So he chased after the wind through a grassy field and into an apple orchard. Here the wind blew at the top of an apple tree and gently shook a large, rosy red apple to the ground, The boy picked up the shiny apple. It was so big that it took both of his hands to hold it, Then he knew! He ran all the way home, grasping his apple tightly in his hands. “Mother! Mother!” he called as he entered his house. “I found it! I found the little red house with no doors and no windows! But Mother, I don’t know if there is a star inside.” Mother took the apple (reveal your apple) and very carefully sliced it in half (cut the apple horizon- tally). “Oh, now I see the star!” exclaimed the happy little boy. “I asked the farmer, asked the little girl, 1 asked the granny, but only the wind could help me solve the riddle of the little red house with no doors and no windows!” (Show your children the star inside of the apple!) oN &\ Miss Barbara’s grandmother used to tell this European folktale to her when she was a small child. She “re-discovered” it in 1998, in an teacher’s magazine. With great excitement, she adapted the story, which was written in a more formal style of English, to the easy to read and understand version used here, The story of The Little Red House with No Doors and No Windows was used by Miss Barbara each year in her classroom. The excitement of discovering the star in the middle of an apple was always a “hit” with al students - regardless of grade or talents! www.missbsclassroom.com