Keeping Promises
(21) KEY STAGE 1 &2
VISUAL AID: A puppet
Lally does not talk, but can nod and shake her head vigorously. The story of Jonah can be told by using cardboard cut-out shapes, behind a screen, lit up by an OHP.
Lally did you tidy your room as I asked you to?
L:No! No!
L: No?
But you promised me that you would. Did you forget?
L: No!
Was it too messy and you needed help?
No!
Did you just decide that even though you had promised, you just didn’t want to do it?
L:Yes!
But Lally a promise is a promise. And when you made me a promise I expected you to keep it.
L: (fingers in mouth)
Does this mean you are never going to do what I ask you to do?
L: No
Does this mean when you promise to do something, you don’t mean it?
L: No
You see Lally, I thought that when you promised to tidy your room, I wouldn’t have to check up on you, because a promise is a promise, and I trusted you to keep it. If I promise to take you to McDonald’s and then I don’t, do you think that’s right?
L: No
I can keep telling you off, but that’s not right either. How can I trust you again? L: (fingers in mouth)
Do you want me to trust you?
L: Yes
So what can you do about it?
L: (whispers)
You could do what you said you would
L: Yes
But can I trust you this time?
L: YES
Promise?
L: Yes
Alright, you can have another try.
L: (whispers)
Yes, if you do what I asked, I promise we can go to Mc Donald’s Yes, but Lally
L: Yes
I’m very sad we had to talk about this in front of all these children. They know you don’t always keep your promises now
L: (fingers in the mouth)
Do you think these children make promises and don’t keep them?
L: No
So we put this behind us, and start again, do we?
L: Yes
That’s good, it’s not very nice when you can’t be trusted, is it?
L:No
So you just wait for me whilst I tell the boys and girls a story from the bible about a man called Jonah.
L: (Nods enthusiastically)
(script by Deacon Denise Creed) Now tell the story of Jonah. (See script in Ready, Steady Act Now)