Tell the tale of a plastic toy's life, tracing its history back to the oil that became plastic and then back to the prehistoric plants that created the oil. Combine an assortment of elements, such as character, setting, time frame, problems, solutions, traits that aid, traits that hinder, etc. to create an original plot. Tell, write or verbally improvise a story that utilizes all the elements chosen. Choose one or more characters. Without the Plot Have students choose a familiar proverb and develop a story that can surround and carry that thought.
Multicultural proverbs offer interesting insights into the universality of wisdom.
The following are some selected proverbs from Wisdom Tales From Around the World by Heather Forest, August House Publishers. This evocative form of folklore sometimes stands in the stead of a wisdom tale. Thought-provoking proverbs can suggest a larger scenario. I invite readers to look at proverbs creatively and imagine the story the proverb suggests. When elephants battle, the ants perish.