The Animal Book

A collection of Short Stories

By the TKaya Family

Cultural Journeys
Grade 4/5/6
2017
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Table of Contents

Introduction by Teacher Naomi Radawiec

Animal Stories

The Girl, the Wolf, and the Bird by Cedar Pidgeon

The Legendary Thunderbird by Foster McCullough

Turtle and Raven by Aidan Willmot

The Dog and the Cheetah by Eliott Smallwood

The Cat and the Horse by Eliott Smallwood

The Orca by Aili Lobdell

The Race by Talise Chapelle

The Fox by Tommy Teather

The Egg by Rowyn Maloney-Turner

The Wolf by William Isbister

Luna and Bodhi by River Stephenson

Wolf and Bear by Simone Baker

The Story of the Rabbit and the Cougar by Callie Stephenson

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Introduction to the Animal Project

By Naomi Radawiec
Big Idea: We are all connected
This year students have been learning about how we are all
connected. They have been challenged to think critically about their
connections, who supports them, and what they need to survive and live
wholeheartedly. Understanding the interconnectedness of all living things will
help broaden students life perspective, encourage community relationships
and a strong sense of self. The Animal project developed the competency
create and innovate as students wrote stories, drew Coast Salish animals,
learned graphic design and quality publishing techniques ( framing) . Through
their published projects, students inspired others to think critically about
their connections.
We focused on these First Peoples Principles of Learning:
Learning is embedded in memory, history and story
Learning is holistic, reflexive, reflective, experiential, and relational
( focused on connectedness, on reciprocal relationships, and a sense of
place) .
Learning ultimately supports the well-being of the self, the family,
the community, the land, the spirits, and the ancestors.
Learning recognizes the role of indigenous knowledge
Learning involves the exploration of ones learning
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Animal Project Stage One: Why I chose my Animal

Students chose one local animal that they feel most connected to. They
researched and then wrote about what their animal symbolizes, then
described how and why they feel connected to that animal. Each person 1)
drew their animal using coast salish design, 2) used photoshop to
transform themselves into their animal, 3) edited, self-assessed and printed
their writing, 4) put their work into a picture frame ( that went up in the
hall) . They also completed a "pre-flight" checklist before finishing. Peer-
edits and critiques were done throughout the process. Students presented
their work for the class on the last day of school before the winter break.
Animal Project Stage Two: Scientific facts about my Animal
Students researched scientific information about their animal. They practiced
finding a good source, taking notes, and writing new sentences using their
own words. Students chose their own criteria for their presentations ( e.g.
loud enough voice, body language, eye contact) , and chose how they wanted
to teach the class about their animal.
Animal Project Stage Three: The Animal Book of Short Stories
Students wrote a climbing story that included two main characters, a
specific setting, problem, high point and solution. They had to write so that
the reader could infer the moral of the story. Charlene Williams shared
Swxw7mesh stories and we discussed life lessons within the stories. We
also read several First Nations stories that teach important life lessons.
Grade five student and artist Rowyn Maloney-Turner taught a watercolor
lesson and then students created an illustration to publish in a class book
of their Animal climbing stories.
Animal Project Stage Four: Drawings
Finally, guest artist and teacher Brianne Roy gave a lesson on drawing what
you see. Each student looked closely at a printed off picture of their animal
and mindfully drew the details. Together we will built a web on the wall to
show connections between the animals and students. We also added circles
to represent the other projects we have done this year and how they are all
connected to each other and our big idea.
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Elders at Totem Hall

Students were very fortunate to also spend time with Elders at Totem hall.
We had a circle and shared our favorite animals for the group. Then
students paired up with an Elder and asked them questions about their
connections with animals, symbolism, animals stories and significance of
animals.
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The Girl, the Wolf, and the Bird

By Cedar Pidgeon

It was a cold and windy night, and the leaves were just beginning to
fall off the trees. Inside a house there was a young girl named Sofelia Wilford.
She was being tucked into bed ( for she was only seven) by her mother.
Mummy, can you tell me the story of the Cinderella again? Sofelia
asked. So Sofelias mother tells her daughter the story of Cinderella. The next
day Sofelia goes outside to play in the woods, but before Sofelia could open
the door and walk outside her mother stopped her.
Sofelia, be careful of the wolf that lives in the forest. Dont go too
deep, Sofelias mother said.
Uh huh, Sofelia said, not really paying attention. So Sofelia continues
through the door and into the woods. She keeps on going deeper and deeper
into the woods until suddenly she hears a noise coming from the bushes.
Whos there? Sofelia shouted into the bushes.
I am, a voice says, and with that a wolf steps out from the bushes.
Sofelia gasped.
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Dont worry, the wolf said. Come with me to my den. I have pups
that love children, the wolf grinned.
Um, okay, Sofelia said, still unsure.
Good, the wolf said grinning again. So the wolf led Sofelia to his
den, and to her fate. Here we are, said the wolf with an even bigger smile.
They walked inside the wolfs den.
Lets play a game, the wolf said. You put a blindfold on and I lock
you in this cage. Then you try to get out, said the wolf pointing to a cage
hanging from the ceiling.
That sounds fun! Sofelia said jumping up and down. So the girl put
the blindfold on while the wolf helped her get into the cage. When she was
inside the cage the wolf secretly slipped a cauldron of hot water under the
cage and then locked it. Sofelia started kicking and trying to get out, not yet
knowing what was going on. But perched on the window of the wolfs hut
was a bird. Suddenly the unknown bird flies into the hut and knocks over a
pile of wolfs pots and pans.
What was that? shouted the wolf. The wolf runs into the kitchen and
finds nothing but a pile of pots and pans. He picks them up while the bird
uses its beak to unlock the cage and take the blindfold off Sofelia.
Who are you? asked Sofelia finally understanding the meaning of her
mother's warning.
Sssshh, come Ill show you the way out, but be very, very, quiet,
whispered the bird. The bird showed Sofelia the way out of the house. Then
they both ran for their lives and never went back to the place again.
As for the wolf, well he still lives in the same little house as he did
on that very day. The only difference is he doesnt eat people, and is way
less greedy.
And just a question...who is that crouching behind you?
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The Legendary Thunderbird

By Foster

One day the Legendary Thunderbird was in a deep slumber on the

ice capped tip of Black Tusk Mountain. Far away he could hear people
crying out for help. As he awoke he said, Oh no they need my help! So
he set off to find out what was happening.
On his way there all other mythical creatures started following him.
Though they knew from their law that they were not supposed to reveal
their existence in the age that was the twenty first. They feared being
hunted and experimented on for they might not be able to protect their
homes. But curious as they were, they still followed him.
In his desperate pursuit the Thunderbird noticed and yelled to the
other creatures, Don't follow me! This is none of your business.
It is if we make it!all the others yelled back at him. So he just let
them follow him all they wanted. It's not his fault if their home is gone
afterwards.
On the way there something peculiar happened. The biggest storm in
eons had taken place and the Thunderbird said to himself, Just my luck!
All the other creatures turned back but he just kept going. He was not
gonna stop until he found out what was happening.
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The one second he looked away, lightning flashed quickly and struck
his wing! It was too much for him and he slowly faded out of
consciousness and had a furious dive without control into the beautiful blue
ocean. He floated to the ocean floor without being awake and as the storm
faded away farther and farther away.
He finally awoke and struggled to get to the surface and got there.
Soon after he rested on a nearby tree and soon enough he restored his
health. He then started back on his trip to save the humans and when he
got there he found that a war was taking place right there and right now.
It was a triumphant battle over the enemy but soon enough he was pushed
to his limits so he had two choices. One was to give up his powers to
save the people he was protecting, or leave, but he gained enough bravery
to give up his abilities. Soon after the battle was over he left with no
specialties to his name. The End

And so the moral of the story is Don't give up, even in the hardest of
conditions.
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Turtle and Raven

By Aidan Willmot

Once upon a time there was a turtle who wanted to get a berry that
was all the way up a tree. No matter how hard he tried, he couldnt get
the berry. Later the turtle asked the Raven if he could help. The Raven
accepted. Only on one condition, he said. I get half of the berry. The
turtle accepted Ravens deal.
So how are we actually going to do this? squeaked Raven. You are
much too heavy for me.
I dont know, lets think about this and maybe we can figure this
out, replied Turtle. So the two of them sat there in the hot sun and
pondered about how to get up the tree.
Then Raven had a great idea. Since the turtle was heavier than the
Raven they could make a plank seesaw so that Turtle could launch Raven.
So they gathered the materials to make the seesaw and then they tried it
out. Turtle jumped onto the Seesaw and launched Raven, but Raven
couldnt slow himself down and he clipped his wing on a branch and
couldnt fly anymore. He landed with a hard thump!
What are we going to do now? asked Raven.
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I dont know replied Turtle. So they started thinking again, but

since raven couldnt fly it was hard to think of ideas that didnt involve
flying so it was turtles turn to think of an idea.
I have got it we can knock the berry of the tree with rocks using
the seesaw, said Turtle.
So they gathered a bunch of rocks but they were hard to find because
most of them were either too small or too big. When they finally had
enough they started launching them. Turtle jumped on the seesaw then they
finally knocked the berry off the tree and raven caught it. They had a great
time eating it!

The Dog and the Cheetah

By Eliott Smallwood

One glorious afternoon cheetah and dog were having a picnic on the
beach. They thought the food was very delicious and were having a great
time then elephant came over and kicked sand in their faces.
Why did you do that? dog asked calmly
WHY DO YOU THINK YOU SILLY MUTT, yelled elephant at dog.
Dog and cheetah were very confused because they did not know what that
was for. Dog though it was very strange because he was the nicest person
in town. Later elephant had to go home he was very poor and sad because
he was mean to everyone. And he didn't even know why. people told him
he should go tell his emotions to someone but he thought that was dumb.
Why would I do that? elephant thought.
They would just tell it to everyone elephant said in his head. He
thought this because for his whole life he did not trust anyone because he
was mean to everyone so no one trusted him. So please dont be mean.
And if you are say sorry, also let out your emotions to someone or else
they will just bottle up and explode. eventually elephant opened up and
when he did he was a very happy person.
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The Cat and the Horse

By Eliott Smallwood

One day cat and horse were having an argument, the argument was
about who was better.
I AM!!! hissed cat.
Well you dont even have an idiom named after you, ever heard
anyone say you are eating like a cat, hmm? replied horse.
Although it didn't really matter these animals fought all day saying
things like, cats are WAY better dont even get me started, or NOT
TRUE, horses can drink milk and milk is not good for cats!
Well its not like you would even drink milk! After a while they
had to go to sleep so cat went back home and so did horse. And what was
the point of this fighting? Well both of them thought their species was
better. They both wanted to prove it too. But in the end all that happened
was they both grew further apart from each other and wasted the day.
eventually they both hated each other but they still thought the same thing.
Please dont waste your time by doing this. If someone thinks something
dont try to prove them this will just end in heartbreak, hate, and pain.
Horse and cat made up a year later then they were very happy and things
continued normally. From that day on they were best friends.
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The Orca
By Aili Lobdell

The orca, so black it looks like ink. Yet so white it looks like as if it
has never seen a spec of dirt. In its eyes it holds secrets, mysteries, and
sorrow. It glides through the water effortlessly. But, there is another side to
the orca. A killer.
A great white shark swims through the water bringing terror with it.
Meanwhile an orca swims into the bay looking for food, not knowing that
there is great white in the water.
The great white spots the orca and starts swimming toward it. It gets
closer and closer until it is about to attack, but the orca turns around and
bites the shark. It is challenging it.
The winner gets a meal and territory. The orca has already taken a
big chunk out of the shark. The shark goes for the orca but only gets
water. The orca takes a shot and gets its fin. The shark bites off some of
the flesh on the side of the orcas tale. The orca is not moving. The shark
closes in and the orca bites his gills. The shark is dead. Looks like the
orca just wanted territory and to not be eaten. It is leaving the dead shark
alone. The juices in the shark liver spill out sending a message to the other
sharks that it is not safe here and all the sharks leave. From that day on
no sharks have ever come back to that bay.
So the moral of the story is, just because something is beautiful does
not mean it is brave and tough.
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The Race
By Talise Chapelle

There once was a sloth named Bruno and a turtle named Shelly.
They were both very slow creatures.
This story takes place in 1967 in a middle school where two groups
hated each other ( especially the leaders Shelly and Bruno) . One day Bruno
got so mad at Shelly he challenged her to a race.
Should I do this? said Shelly to the girls.
Yes, said the girls.
Okay Ill do it.
On the day of the race they were very excited. Wow thats a long
race. My dad had to do this race against the hare. Lets hope I get a
miracle like him, said Shelly to her friend bear Barky.
The race starts in two minutes, said Bruno.
Go get it, said Shellys dad.
Race starts in 5-4-3-2-1, and they are off! Right at the start
Bruno tripped. Shelly saw what happened and thought, Should I help
him? She thought and thought until she said to Bruno, Are you ok?
Bruno said to Shelly, Why are you helping?
Sigh, I think youre my friend. They finished the race together and
became friends.
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The Fox
By Tommy Teather

Once upon a time a fox named Mr. Fox wanted to an owner. Mr.
Fox went to see Jeff. When he got there Jeff said, Go to Tommy. Mr.
Fox did not know Tommy but he went to see Tommy anyways. He got to
Tommys and said, Hello, can you be my owner.
Tommy said yes and kissed Mr. Fox on the cheek. Tommy and Mr.
Fox had fun. Then.
Part 2 The Adventure
Tommy got a pilot license. Mr. Fox got to fly to USA but the plane
crashed. Mr. Fox woke up but Tommy was unconscious. Then Mr. Fox
grabbed Tommy and dragged him out of the burning wreckage. The plane
exploded. Bam!
Mr. Fox had saved Tommys life.
Thank-you for saving my life, said Tommy.
To be continued...
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The Egg
By Rowyn Maloney-Turner

This is a story about a girl named Maylen and a duck. Maylen is

sneaky and shy. She likes to play in the forest with anyone. Duck is
curious, and always wants to check out new things. He likes to explore
anywhere he hasnt been.
One day there was a mother goose with her egg. Well, she used to
have more eggs but they disappeared. That day the mother goose was going
out with father goose to get some food. While they were gone a little girl
came along named Maylen. She saw the egg and picked it up thinking it
was lost. She brought it home and put it on her bed. She went and got
her parents old lamp that got very warm very fast and she went outside
and made a wompy nest. She brought it in and placed the egg in the nest
and put it on her shelf. She also plugged in the old lamp and put it over
the egg for it to stay warm. A few weeks past and her parents didnt find
the egg.
One evening she was watching the egg and she heard cracking and a
baby chick popped out of the egg. Maylen jumped up and sort of made a
screeching sound and ran down to get some bread. She saw her mother in
the kitchen and her mother asked her what she was doing. She said, Im
hungry.
Her mom said, Do you want me to make something for you to eat?
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She said, No Ill just have a piece of bread. When she was walking
away she stopped, turned around, and asked her mom, What do baby
geese eat?
Her mom was texting someone in that moment and didnt answer.
She just walked upstairs with the bread. The baby chick was sitting in the
nest. Ha, I will name you Duck! She tried to give the bread to Duck.
Come and eat! She remembered her friend said many baby birds eat from
the parent. I will be its mom! She took the bread and water and mixed it
with her finger and then fed it to
Duck.

A few days passed and her mom was cleaning Maylens room. Her
mom saw the bird and screamed, Maylen! Why do you have a bird in
your room?
Maylen ran up the stairs. She explained what happened. Her mom
didnt answer. Maylen said, What did you do to Duck mom?
I know, it does not look good. I think it is sick.
We will nurse it back to health ok? Maylen almost started to cry.
Remember I am a veterinarian Maylen. She was watching her mom. Her
mom said, You have not been giving him the right food and thats why
Duck is sick.
When Maylens mom was done giving Duck the medicine, she put
Duck in a box. Five days passed and Duck was better. He was going to be
put back into the wild. Maylen was very sad. On the way to the beach,
Maylen asked Duck to come and see her whenever she comes over. The
car stopped. They were there. Maylen saw the parents and Duck saw them
too. Duck flew out of her arms and Duck came over to the parents. They
greeted him and Maylen started to cry. Then Maylen and her parents left.

A week later Maylen came to the beach and saw Duck. Duck saw
her. Maylen ran over to the duck and hugged him.
Every time since then, Duck has greeted her. The end.

The moral of the story is dont take animals out of nature for no
reason. Thanks for reading!
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The Wolf
By William Isbister

One spring morning a young wolf was just waking from bed and
went hunting. Ten minutes later he caught a young cougar and two days
later he was the new alpha. The old alpha was very greedy.
The old alpha was up on the dormant volcano looking for a piece of
obsidian because his fur was shedding. When he found one piece, he
knocked it in and the lava rock broke open and the volcano started to
erupt. So he ran. Then when the valley animals noticed, they packed very
fast and started to leave. They started to hike. Meanwhile, Hmmm, I
should leave but I am going to use this opportunity to loot everyones
homes. So the old greedy wolf Jon died due to greediness. So my life
lesson is: Dont be greedy.
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Luna and Bodhi

By River Stephenson

Cats and dogs are natural enemies. Dogs chase and cats swat dogs
with their claws. One day Luna the cat was being a bit of a bully to Bodhi
the dog. She swatted him in the face for no reason. Maybe she was
remembering when Bodhi stole her fishy cat food. Bodhi barked loudly at
Luna.

Out in the yard, it was a quiet evening. It was starting to get dark.
Suddenly Bodhi smelled a bear. He barked a special bark. Luna understood
what Bodhi was say: Bear! Bear!

Luna told Bodhi to get inside with a meow. They both went inside.
Luna cuddled Bodhi.

The moral of the story is that even enemies can protect each other
from bigger enemies.
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Wolf and Bear

By Simone Baker

Once upon a time there was a wolf and a bear. The wolf was on
one side of the river and the bear was on the other side. One day they
were going to eat. They saw one another and they said, Do I know you?
This is my fish!
Wolf said, Lets see who can grab the most fish.
Sure! Fine then, replied Bear. ReadyGo! I, 2, 3, 4, 5(10
minutes) STOP! Bear had picked up 57 fish and Wolf got 43. And so
Wolf left the place.
That was a good place I had before, so I am going to find a place
that will be similar. So Wolf went looking for two years and he couldnt
find a place as special as the one he had before.
Bear was sad because Wolf was gone for two years and Wolf had no
home. Wolf got so hungry.
One day Bear decided to go find Wolf. He looked for five hours.
Suddenly he saw him. Bear shouted, WOLF!
Yah! said wolf.
Come here! cried bear.
Ok.
I want you back home, Bear pleaded.
Ok Ill come back home!
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When they got home Wolf said, I love it here.

We can be best friends, he said.
Ok we love this place. We go to the far ok and eat. We can go let
go we are on it. Bye said both.
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The Story of the Rabbit and the Cougar

By Callie Stephenson

It was morning in the forest. All was still and quiet except the sound
of a rabbit nibbling on some grass. The rabbit did not notice that a cougar
was hiding in the trees. Suddenly the cougar jumped out of her hiding
place and off ran the rabbit. The rabbit was lucky that the cougar did not
catch him, but the rabbit was still running and the cougar was still chasing
the rabbit.
Finally they came to the end of the forest and there was garbage
everywhere. There was also a jar with food in it. The cougar could smell
the food and she put her face in the jar. She started to eat the food. After
she had eaten the food she could not get her face out of the jar. She pulled
and pulled on the jar but the jar would not come off her face.
The rabbit could see that out of the corner of his eye that the
cougars face was stuck in the jar. The rabbit felt sorry for the cougar and
decided to help her. The rabbit picked the jar up with his paws and pulled
and pulled. Suddenly the jar went flying off the cougars face. The cougar
was lucky that the rabbit helped get the jar off her face or she would have
gone hungry. Then from that day on the cougar never chased the rabbit
again.

The lesson of the story is littering impacts animals in a negative way.

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Thank-you for reading!

The TKaya Family