Introduction
Our names are Ilse, Nienke and Iris. We're all fifteen years old, go to the same school and we've known each other for 3 years now. Our school is located in the middle of the Netherlands in Gorinchem, which is a town near Rotterdam. We all live about 30 minutes away from school in three different villages and we travel by bike everyday. On this page you can discover some more information about each of us and our every day lives. Hopefully you will enjoy reading our very first article and we're looking forward to reading yours as well!
Action Plan
Our group leader is Nienke and we will write all articles together and Ilse will put them on the site (publisher).
Iris will check in the end if all grammer and vocabulary is right and is also the creative spirit in our group.
We communicate with each other by WhatsApp, e-mail and just talking with each other at school.
To get information we will use the internet and our own knowledge!
Iris will check in the end if all grammer and vocabulary is right and is also the creative spirit in our group.
We communicate with each other by WhatsApp, e-mail and just talking with each other at school.
To get information we will use the internet and our own knowledge!
Fabels
STEP ONE
A hare boasts to the other animals about how fast he can run. When none of them responds initially to his challenge for a race, he taunts them that they are too scared even to try.
When tortoise speaks up and takes on the challenge, the hare scoffs that he won’t even waste his time racing the slowest creature in the world. Eventually though, he agrees to the race in a week's time.
The tortoise spends the week in training, but continues to move very slowly, and the other animals wonder if the race is a good idea. Nevertheless, there is a large crowd of animals on the day of the race.
The race begins and the hare roars off, while the tortoise plods along slow and steady. Deciding he is so far ahead the hare decides to have a sleep in the sun. However, when he wakes, the tortoise is nearing the finish line and takes and unlikely victory.
Characters:
This fable has two main characters whose personalities differ a lot. The hare is very competitive and wants to demonstrate his speed to the other animals. The tortoise doesn't feel the need to show off to others. Also, he isn't the most athletic creature of all. But he is clever enough to win the race. The hare is a symbol that teaches us not to be over-confident, while the tortoise teaches an audience never to give up.
Theme or moral of the story:
This fable teaches us that you shouldn't act too arrogant towards other people, because your over-confidence might get you into trouble. Also, it shows that intelligence can get you just as far as strength.
There is a great competition amongst the animals to be named King of the Beasts. Each animal gets a chance to explain why they should be King. Fox says that he should be King because he is clever, but his speech is boring. Monkey is chosen, because he dances around and makes funny faces. Fox does not like it that the silly Monkey has been chosen as King ahead of him, so plays a trick. He takes Monkey into the forest, saying that he wants to show him a present fit for a king. Fox shows Monkey beautiful, ripe banana on the forest floor, and when Monkey runs to pick it up, he falls into a trap. Fox can help Monkey escape from the trap, but will only do so if the Monkey agrees not to be King. The other animals agree that the King of Beasts should be clever enough not to fall into traps.
Characters:
The main characters in the story are the Fox and the Monkey because they both want to win and become the King of the Beasts. Fox is very clever but his speech is boring and so he doesn't win. The monkey is very silly and funny and all animals love him but eventually he has to give his crown away because he is not clever enough.
Theme or moral of the story:
The writer wants to show that even when you're funny, silly and everybody loves you, you also have to be clever enough to lead a forest with all kind of animals in it. You have to take responsibility and be able to take care of yourself. So think first if you can take your task properly.
The Sun is annoyed to see the North Wind causing chaos with its icy blasts, so challenges it to a contest to see which of them is strong enough to take the coat off a young man who is walking through the mountains.
The Wind thinks this will be easy, so blows with all its might, but this only serves to make the man pull his coat on more tightly.
When the Sun has its turn, it shines so warmly that the man wants to take off his coat.
Characters:
This story has two main characters which are basically opposite to each other. The North Wind is a harsh, icy cold wind that likes to ruin sailboats by blowing them over. The wind is very confident and convinced that it is stronger than the sun. It thinks that the sun is a bit silly because all it does is shine, and thinks of itself as strong because it has a lot of force. The wind eventually is proven wrong because it loses the competition with the sun.
The sun has a warm personality, and likes to please people by shining and warming up the earth. It does not like the wind due to its harsh intentions. The sun does not believe in the strength of the wind, and therefore challenges it for a competition. The sun wins and is proven to be the strongest of the two.
Theme or moral of the story:
The theme or moral of this fable is that by doing good you will achieve more than by doing harm. Good will win over bad; so always perform your actions with the right intentions!
Three mice are hiding under the kitchen skirting board, wondering how to steal the cheese from under the nose of the cat that guards it. Their first plan, to simply rush out and steal it, had failed miserably.
The cat, bored with waiting for them to try again, notices that its fur resembles the material of a sack hanging on the wall. So, the cat hangs itself on the wall, hoping that the mice will think it is a sack, and venture out again. They are tempted initially, but the mice notice that the sack has eyes, and speaks – so stay where they are
Characters:
There are 4 characters in this story the first one is the cat and it is very sneaky and also clever to come up with the plan to hide himself. There are three mice first we have mighty mice and that's the leader of the mice, mildred mouse is a mouse who asks a lot and is more clever than mini-mouse, mini-mouse is very small and wants the cheese very badly and doesn’t think really properly about how to get the cheese.
Theme or moral of the story:
A big theme in this story is temptation because the mice want the cheese and the cat wants the mice. The moral of the story is "once bitten, twice shy".
STEP TWO
reading the Dutch fables
STEP THREE
It's not really an important story in our culture more for fun.
Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands and a mill is a very typical Dutch thing.
The mother mouse eventually left because her family was becoming to big. I think that is kind of weak but everybody is different so they may or may not like it.
It’s more about a joke when it's Christmas time instead of being very important for our country.
Most of the people in the Netherlands have a rabbit as pet at home but there are no other elements of our culture.
It's weak of the father to kill the rabbit of his son because he really loved his animal.
STEP 4
Uploading the article.
STEP 5
Our own fable:
Once upon a time, there was a smart snail and a not-so-smart hare. The snail was always laughed at for being slow, until the day it started raining in their forest. The hare was feeling sad, and the snail, who thought to comfort the hare and asked why he was tearing up. ‘because the clouds are tearing up too.’, he sad. The snail did not understand and asked what he meant. ‘it is raining cats and dogs, which means the clouds are sad, so I am sad too.’ The snail started giggling a little, to which the hare looked unhappy. ‘why are you laughing at me? That is not nice’ Suddenly the snail realized that he did the exact same thing that had always been done to him, so he explained; ‘I am not laughing at you, I just find your explanation for rain rather funny’. The hare became a little confused and asked why, so the snail explained the true, scientific reason for rain and the hare was surprised. ‘Snail, you are honestly so bright! I never knew that about you’. The snail smiled a little and smartly said’, ‘dear hare, everybody is different, and we should learn to accept that from each other’.
- The Hare and the Tortoise
A hare boasts to the other animals about how fast he can run. When none of them responds initially to his challenge for a race, he taunts them that they are too scared even to try.
When tortoise speaks up and takes on the challenge, the hare scoffs that he won’t even waste his time racing the slowest creature in the world. Eventually though, he agrees to the race in a week's time.
The tortoise spends the week in training, but continues to move very slowly, and the other animals wonder if the race is a good idea. Nevertheless, there is a large crowd of animals on the day of the race.
The race begins and the hare roars off, while the tortoise plods along slow and steady. Deciding he is so far ahead the hare decides to have a sleep in the sun. However, when he wakes, the tortoise is nearing the finish line and takes and unlikely victory.
Characters:
This fable has two main characters whose personalities differ a lot. The hare is very competitive and wants to demonstrate his speed to the other animals. The tortoise doesn't feel the need to show off to others. Also, he isn't the most athletic creature of all. But he is clever enough to win the race. The hare is a symbol that teaches us not to be over-confident, while the tortoise teaches an audience never to give up.
Theme or moral of the story:
This fable teaches us that you shouldn't act too arrogant towards other people, because your over-confidence might get you into trouble. Also, it shows that intelligence can get you just as far as strength.
- The Monkey as King
There is a great competition amongst the animals to be named King of the Beasts. Each animal gets a chance to explain why they should be King. Fox says that he should be King because he is clever, but his speech is boring. Monkey is chosen, because he dances around and makes funny faces. Fox does not like it that the silly Monkey has been chosen as King ahead of him, so plays a trick. He takes Monkey into the forest, saying that he wants to show him a present fit for a king. Fox shows Monkey beautiful, ripe banana on the forest floor, and when Monkey runs to pick it up, he falls into a trap. Fox can help Monkey escape from the trap, but will only do so if the Monkey agrees not to be King. The other animals agree that the King of Beasts should be clever enough not to fall into traps.
Characters:
The main characters in the story are the Fox and the Monkey because they both want to win and become the King of the Beasts. Fox is very clever but his speech is boring and so he doesn't win. The monkey is very silly and funny and all animals love him but eventually he has to give his crown away because he is not clever enough.
Theme or moral of the story:
The writer wants to show that even when you're funny, silly and everybody loves you, you also have to be clever enough to lead a forest with all kind of animals in it. You have to take responsibility and be able to take care of yourself. So think first if you can take your task properly.
- The North Wind and the Sun
The Sun is annoyed to see the North Wind causing chaos with its icy blasts, so challenges it to a contest to see which of them is strong enough to take the coat off a young man who is walking through the mountains.
The Wind thinks this will be easy, so blows with all its might, but this only serves to make the man pull his coat on more tightly.
When the Sun has its turn, it shines so warmly that the man wants to take off his coat.
Characters:
This story has two main characters which are basically opposite to each other. The North Wind is a harsh, icy cold wind that likes to ruin sailboats by blowing them over. The wind is very confident and convinced that it is stronger than the sun. It thinks that the sun is a bit silly because all it does is shine, and thinks of itself as strong because it has a lot of force. The wind eventually is proven wrong because it loses the competition with the sun.
The sun has a warm personality, and likes to please people by shining and warming up the earth. It does not like the wind due to its harsh intentions. The sun does not believe in the strength of the wind, and therefore challenges it for a competition. The sun wins and is proven to be the strongest of the two.
Theme or moral of the story:
The theme or moral of this fable is that by doing good you will achieve more than by doing harm. Good will win over bad; so always perform your actions with the right intentions!
- The cat and the mice
Three mice are hiding under the kitchen skirting board, wondering how to steal the cheese from under the nose of the cat that guards it. Their first plan, to simply rush out and steal it, had failed miserably.
The cat, bored with waiting for them to try again, notices that its fur resembles the material of a sack hanging on the wall. So, the cat hangs itself on the wall, hoping that the mice will think it is a sack, and venture out again. They are tempted initially, but the mice notice that the sack has eyes, and speaks – so stay where they are
Characters:
There are 4 characters in this story the first one is the cat and it is very sneaky and also clever to come up with the plan to hide himself. There are three mice first we have mighty mice and that's the leader of the mice, mildred mouse is a mouse who asks a lot and is more clever than mini-mouse, mini-mouse is very small and wants the cheese very badly and doesn’t think really properly about how to get the cheese.
Theme or moral of the story:
A big theme in this story is temptation because the mice want the cheese and the cat wants the mice. The moral of the story is "once bitten, twice shy".
- Comparison
STEP TWO
reading the Dutch fables
STEP THREE
- Een muis in een molen in mooi Amsterdam
It's not really an important story in our culture more for fun.
Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands and a mill is a very typical Dutch thing.
The mother mouse eventually left because her family was becoming to big. I think that is kind of weak but everybody is different so they may or may not like it.
- Flappie
It’s more about a joke when it's Christmas time instead of being very important for our country.
Most of the people in the Netherlands have a rabbit as pet at home but there are no other elements of our culture.
It's weak of the father to kill the rabbit of his son because he really loved his animal.
STEP 4
Uploading the article.
STEP 5
Our own fable:
Once upon a time, there was a smart snail and a not-so-smart hare. The snail was always laughed at for being slow, until the day it started raining in their forest. The hare was feeling sad, and the snail, who thought to comfort the hare and asked why he was tearing up. ‘because the clouds are tearing up too.’, he sad. The snail did not understand and asked what he meant. ‘it is raining cats and dogs, which means the clouds are sad, so I am sad too.’ The snail started giggling a little, to which the hare looked unhappy. ‘why are you laughing at me? That is not nice’ Suddenly the snail realized that he did the exact same thing that had always been done to him, so he explained; ‘I am not laughing at you, I just find your explanation for rain rather funny’. The hare became a little confused and asked why, so the snail explained the true, scientific reason for rain and the hare was surprised. ‘Snail, you are honestly so bright! I never knew that about you’. The snail smiled a little and smartly said’, ‘dear hare, everybody is different, and we should learn to accept that from each other’.
Presenting our play
The crane and the crab
Cast
- Crane
- Crab
- Fish
Scene 1
In the air & by the pond
In the beautiful morning sky, flies Crane who is challenging himself in this monologue to come up with a fair solution to his problem.
Crane: (nagging voice) O my, O my! Why, why can’t I catch any fish? Hunger, all I can think about is how awfully hungry I am! Flying here feels so pointless and I’m so very exhausted.. But wait, what do I see there? It’s a pond! A pond full of fish! Maybe this is my chance to finally still my craving before I starve to death! I will have to come up with a plan..
Crane settles down near the pond in which some fish are peacefully swimming around.
Crane: (pretending to panick, screaming) Hello?! Is someone there? I’ve come to warn you all and you must listen.
Fish: (confused) What is going on, mister Crane? What are you talking about? Are we in danger?
Crane: Yes, o, yes! You are in danger. That’s the reason why I’m here. You see, I’ve been informed that a great and extreme drought will be arriving very soon. It is the worst, most terrible, awful, dangerous drought you will ever experience in your soon ending lives!
Of course, the fish panicked instantly. They started to shout and cried for Crane to help them find a solution.
Crane: Well, I might have an idea.. I could maybe give you a lift to another pond in the east. A larger pond where it’s safe for tasty fish like you.
Fish: (suspiciously looking at Crane) Tasty?
Crane: Happy and healthy I mean, obviously!
Eventually, the fish agreed to Crane’s plan and the first fish bravely jumped on Crane’s back to go to the other pond, at least that’s what they thought..
Crane: (silently speaking to himself) The plan is going terrific. I can’t wait to finally fill my stomach.
Crane consumed the fish, who didn’t think anything bad was going to happen to them, without hesitation. And after he transferred almost all fish into his stomach, instead of another pool, he came back to the pond one last time..
Crane: (Talking to no-one in particular when arriving at the pond) I just want you all to know how perfeclty happy I am that I am able to help you. Nothing would make me happier. Truly, I am so happy.
But, it wasn’t the offering help part he was happy about but the fact that he stilled his hunger! And in his moment of happiness he didn’t realise that someone else had entered the pond, the Crab..
Crab: So, you are the hero I hear is saving all fish?
Crane: O, uuhm, yes that would indeed be me. (he said proudly)
Crab: Well, are you only willing to save fish or..?
Crane: No, no! I can help you as well if you would like. You definitely look like a tasty crab. (mouth watering) I mean, happy and healthy of course..
Crab: Okay.. Well, I appreciate your offer.
The crab didn’t fully trust the Crane but felt like he didn’t have a choice and hopped on his back anyway, hoping for a better future in the other pond..
Crab: But, with all due respect mister Crane, what I don’t fully understand is why? Why are you helping us all? And how come you’re the only one who knows about this severe drought?
Crane: (not really knowing what to say) Well, someone told me and I … I am just a very sensible person and I couldn’t let all those tasty fish die!
Crab: Why do you constantly say ‘tasty’? What is going on here? Why are we flying west? You told the fish the pond was east. I don’t understand what you are doing!
But then, all of a sudden the crab understood. He never saved the fish and he was never going to save him either. There wasn’t anything going to happen which required saving in the first place!
In a reflex the Crab put his sharp claw around the Crane’s neck and killed the Crane without hesitating for even a split second.
Crab: For all the fish you’ve killed, for wanting to kill me and for being able to betray so many animals without feeling any guilt, I have ended your life. Now, you will never be able to do such a horrible thing again..
And that he wasn’t able to do anymore, indeed…
Cast
- Crane
- Crab
- Fish
Scene 1
In the air & by the pond
In the beautiful morning sky, flies Crane who is challenging himself in this monologue to come up with a fair solution to his problem.
Crane: (nagging voice) O my, O my! Why, why can’t I catch any fish? Hunger, all I can think about is how awfully hungry I am! Flying here feels so pointless and I’m so very exhausted.. But wait, what do I see there? It’s a pond! A pond full of fish! Maybe this is my chance to finally still my craving before I starve to death! I will have to come up with a plan..
Crane settles down near the pond in which some fish are peacefully swimming around.
Crane: (pretending to panick, screaming) Hello?! Is someone there? I’ve come to warn you all and you must listen.
Fish: (confused) What is going on, mister Crane? What are you talking about? Are we in danger?
Crane: Yes, o, yes! You are in danger. That’s the reason why I’m here. You see, I’ve been informed that a great and extreme drought will be arriving very soon. It is the worst, most terrible, awful, dangerous drought you will ever experience in your soon ending lives!
Of course, the fish panicked instantly. They started to shout and cried for Crane to help them find a solution.
Crane: Well, I might have an idea.. I could maybe give you a lift to another pond in the east. A larger pond where it’s safe for tasty fish like you.
Fish: (suspiciously looking at Crane) Tasty?
Crane: Happy and healthy I mean, obviously!
Eventually, the fish agreed to Crane’s plan and the first fish bravely jumped on Crane’s back to go to the other pond, at least that’s what they thought..
Crane: (silently speaking to himself) The plan is going terrific. I can’t wait to finally fill my stomach.
Crane consumed the fish, who didn’t think anything bad was going to happen to them, without hesitation. And after he transferred almost all fish into his stomach, instead of another pool, he came back to the pond one last time..
Crane: (Talking to no-one in particular when arriving at the pond) I just want you all to know how perfeclty happy I am that I am able to help you. Nothing would make me happier. Truly, I am so happy.
But, it wasn’t the offering help part he was happy about but the fact that he stilled his hunger! And in his moment of happiness he didn’t realise that someone else had entered the pond, the Crab..
Crab: So, you are the hero I hear is saving all fish?
Crane: O, uuhm, yes that would indeed be me. (he said proudly)
Crab: Well, are you only willing to save fish or..?
Crane: No, no! I can help you as well if you would like. You definitely look like a tasty crab. (mouth watering) I mean, happy and healthy of course..
Crab: Okay.. Well, I appreciate your offer.
The crab didn’t fully trust the Crane but felt like he didn’t have a choice and hopped on his back anyway, hoping for a better future in the other pond..
Crab: But, with all due respect mister Crane, what I don’t fully understand is why? Why are you helping us all? And how come you’re the only one who knows about this severe drought?
Crane: (not really knowing what to say) Well, someone told me and I … I am just a very sensible person and I couldn’t let all those tasty fish die!
Crab: Why do you constantly say ‘tasty’? What is going on here? Why are we flying west? You told the fish the pond was east. I don’t understand what you are doing!
But then, all of a sudden the crab understood. He never saved the fish and he was never going to save him either. There wasn’t anything going to happen which required saving in the first place!
In a reflex the Crab put his sharp claw around the Crane’s neck and killed the Crane without hesitating for even a split second.
Crab: For all the fish you’ve killed, for wanting to kill me and for being able to betray so many animals without feeling any guilt, I have ended your life. Now, you will never be able to do such a horrible thing again..
And that he wasn’t able to do anymore, indeed…