Magical Animals at Bedtime Read online

  Contents

  Background for Parents

  About This Book

  Animals and Humans

  The Horse

  The Bear

  The Tortoise

  How Children Learn from Animals

  How to Use This Book

  Twenty Stories of Magical Animals

  The Princess and the Unicorn

  Kindness and respect

  The Brave Little Firefly

  Bravery

  Cedric the Centipede

  Finding your feet

  Jojo’s Journey

  Finding your place in the world

  The Lonely Dragon

  Making friends

  The Night Flight

  Overcoming fear of the dark

  Gopal and the Mermaid

  Appreciating nature’s treasures

  Little Black Bear and the Big Sleep

  Learning from other people

  The Acacia Tree Friends

  Playing well together

  The Flight of the Condor

  Knowing your limits

  The Extra-Slow Wombat

  Perseverance

  The Smallest Pony

  Being open-minded

  The Cuckoo and the Worm

  Achieving your full potential

  The Kangaroo Who Couldn’t Hop

  Confidence

  The Dog Who Nobody Wanted

  Seeing beyond surface appearances

  The Phoenix and the Blacksmith’s Boy

  Facing up to bullying

  The Lucky Narwhal

  Helping others

  The Silver Hare

  Connecting with another person

  Tortoise’s Birthday Trip

  Enjoying new experiences

  The Noisy Bird

  Making yourself heard

  Visualizations and Meditations

  Taking the Stories Further

  Meeting an Animal Guide

  Earth Meditation

  Air Meditation

  Sea Meditation

  Acknowledgments

  Acknowledgments

  The Publishers would like to thank the three storytellers for writing the tales listed below:

  Lou Kuenzler

  “The Acacia Tree Friends”, “Jojo’s Journey”, “The Lucky Narwhal”, “The Night Flight”,

  “The Noisy Bird”, “The Silver Hare”, “The Smallest Pony”, “The Phoenix and the Blacksmith’s Boy”

  Sandra Rigby

  “The Extra-Slow Wombat”, “The Flight of the Condor”, “Gopal and the Mermaid”,

  “The Kangaroo Who Couldn’t Hop”, “The Lonely Dragon”, “The Princess and the Unicorn”

  Andrew Weale

  “The Brave Little Firefly”, “Cedric the Centipede”, “The Cuckoo and the Worm”,

  “The Dog Who Nobody Wanted”, “Little Black Bear and the Big Sleep”, “Tortoise’s Birthday Trip”

  BACKGROUND FOR PARENTS

  About This Book

  Children seem drawn to animals wherever they encounter them. They adore the family pet and they love to stroke farm animals or visit the zoo. They’re just as fascinated by animals in the wild. Children instinctively seem to want to connect with animals, to make friends with them, to share their world.

  This may simply reflect the interest of the young in all that is different and new; but perhaps the significance of the bond between child and animal goes deeper. It’s possible that a child’s mind is more receptive to developing a connection with another living creature. The special relationship between child and animal is something to be cherished – it’s a harking back to the ancient mysterious bond between animals and humans.

  Up until the late 19th century, people in the West depended on animals for transport, for labour and for their livelihoods and well-being. In traditional hunter-gatherer communities the interdependent relationship between animals and humans was even more marked. In communities that are still free to live in their traditional ways, the deep respect animals command is profound.

  In these communities animals take on the role of guardians and spirit guides to humans and are seen as providing essential truths about the world. In such cultures animals truly are magical.

  This book aims to help connect your child with the wisdom and beauty of the world of animals. You’ll find, amongst many others in this menagerie, cats and caterpillars, bears and birds, a kangaroo and a tortoise. You’ll also find animals celebrated in myths and legends such as the beautiful mermaid, the phoenix that rises from flames to be reborn and the unicorn – symbol of all that is most pure and noble. These stories tell us not just about the strength, courage and resilience of animals; they also illustrate ideas important in a child’s world as well. For example, your child will discover how to have faith in his abilities, how to persevere when things are difficult, and how to work together with family and friends.

  These magical animals are funny, endearing, wise and beautiful. They’re sure to become very special friends whose adventures both you and your child will love to read and re-read at bedtime.

  Animals and Humans

  Folk traditions from every culture around the world reveal the great importance animals have long held for humans. Animals have been recognized for their strength, their courage, their quick wits, their loyalty and their determination – qualities to which humans also aspire.

  Shamanism

  In hunter-gatherer cultures, animals perceived as having the greatest strength or prowess have often taken on the greatest significance in folk tradition. This can be seen, for example, in the importance of the bear in northern European nomadic cultures, where the word for “bear” and “warrior” are often one and the same. In shamanic cultures, which see the physical world infused with the spirit world, the line between human and animal is deliberately blurred. The shaman or wise man seeks to enter into a trance-like state that can help him take on the spirit of a particular animal. In Central Asian shamanism, this journey into the animal world is assisted by the shaman cloaking himself in a coat decorated with bird feathers and animal motifs and a cap made from the skin of a bird.

  In many shamanic societies, animals are important guides for both the tribe as a whole and for the individual. In Native American cultures, the vision quest was a ritual whereby adolescents would journey to a remote site and wait to receive their “vision” from nature. Generally, a spirit guide taking the form of an animal will come to the child in a vision or dream and watch over their future life – bringing wisdom and insight.

  Myth and legend

  In many cultures, myths tell the story of humans who actually take on the characteristics of a particular animal in order to share their powers. For example, the ancient Greeks developed the idea of the centaur – half-man, half-horse – that had the speed and strength of an animal but the head and torso of a man. Ancient Egyptian mythology features many animal-headed gods including Anubis, king of the underworld, who was half-man and half-jackal. Meanwhile, Scottish tradition tells of the selkie – seal-like creatures who take on human form and even marry mortal men, before they inevitably return to the sea.

  Animals are recognized for their cultural importance throughout world mythologies. Agrarian cultures depend fundamentally on the cow for life itself; the cow provides nourishment and plays a vital role in farming and transport. Accordingly, Hindus venerate every cow as the embodiment of the sacred cow, Kamadhenu, and allow them to roam freely about the streets. In Hindu mythology the bull, Nandi, is seen as the mount of the great god Shiva. The surviving remains of the culture of ancient Crete suggest that the bull was also a central figure in Minoan religious and cultural practice. Archaeologists have found artefacts in
cluding a bull’s head rhyton (or vessel), which it’s believed was used in sacred rituals. In ancient Egypt, the goddess Hathor embodied motherhood and femininity and was depicted either as a cow or with a pair of cow’s horns on her head.

  Aesop’s Fables

  Perhaps the most famous animal stories are Aesop’s Fables or the Aesopica. It’s thought that the stories were first told by Aesop, a slave and storyteller believed to have lived in ancient Greece between 620 and 560 BC.

  Interestingly, nearly a dozen of Aesop’s fables are also found in the Buddhist Jataka Tales and the Hindu Panchatantra, and some people speculate the fables are of Indian origin. The stories centre on the unique qualities of animals to teach us morals about our own behaviour. So, for example, in the story of the “Bear and the Bees” we learn how a bear’s anger at being stung by one bee leads him to swat furiously at it, leading him to be attacked by a whole swarm. The moral of the story is that it’s better to accept one injury silently than to bring about many injuries by reacting angrily. In the story of the “Lion and the Mouse”, we learn how the kindness of a lion in releasing a mouse from his paws is rewarded by the mouse helping the lion escape from a hunter’s net. The animal kingdom teaches us that “one good turn deserves another”.

  In every culture the myths associated with animals tell us much about the cornerstones of our own human society – what really matters to us and why. Over the following pages we look at some of the key animals celebrated in mythology around the world and explore what these animals can teach us today.

  The Horse

  One of the most potent animals in myths and legends from many lands has been the horse.

  The Greek myth of Pegasus, the winged horse, is just one example of stories focused on the power and speed of horses. Pegasus was sired by the god Poseidon and ascended to Olympus where he carried lightning bolts and thunder for Zeus. It was said that wherever Pegasus’ hoof struck the earth, a spring rich with inspiration for poets would burst forth. Pegasus is therefore associated with poetry.

  The Greek hero Bellerophon rode Pegasus during many of his heroic exploits and even attempted to ride him to Mount Olympus. However, Zeus was angered by Bellerophon’s boldness and caused the hero to fall from his steed all the way back to earth. The myth seems to suggest that the strength and beauty of the horse is so great that even when a great hero manages to ride the steed, his mastery is perilous and uncertain.

  Pegasus has long been associated with wisdom and inspiration, and for the great psychologist, Carl Jung, Pegasus was the symbol of man’s quest for spirituality.

  The legend of a white horse that carries a great end-of-time warrior to save the world is found in Hindu, Christian and Muslim traditions, and the concept of the chariot of the sun being pulled by white horses is common to Norse, Celtic and ancient Indian and Greek mythologies. England is also famous for the giant images of white horses carved into chalk hillsides at Uffington in Oxfordshire and Westbury near Salisbury Plain, and these images suggest that the horse was of enormous significance to ancient surrounding communities.

  The unicorn, a white horse with a horn in the centre of its forehead, is a fascinating development of the mythology surrounding horses. During the Middle Ages, the unicorn came to represent all that was most pure and holy, with the unicorn often depicted resting its head in the lap of a maiden. In this book, the story “The Princess and the Unicorn” shows how a spoilt princess learns gentleness and respect from the unicorn, an echo of the story of Pegasus in which the proud hero Bellerophon has to learn humility. The lesson we learn from horses is one of strength but also one of grace and sensitivity.

  The Bear

  The bear has been held in reverence by both Northern European and Native American societies for thousands of years. In fact, there is evidence that early societies practised a kind of worship of the bear with many Siberian and Scandinavian cultures considering the bear to be an ancestor spirit. In many countries, such as Iceland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark, the word for “bear” is also a common boy’s name suggesting the idea of a connection between the spirit of bears and that of humans.

  In other cultures there is evidence that the word for bear was subject to a kind of taboo. Indeed, bears were considered to be so powerful that descriptive terms were used to denote the animal instead, such as “angry one” and “fur man”. Viking traditions describe warriors who sought to take on the power and spirit of a bear by donning a bearskin shirt called a “bear-sark”, which had been treated with oils and herbs. These warriors would become “berserk” through the power of the animal’s spirit and were so ferocious in battle, they were said to be capable of biting through their enemies’ shields.

  In many Native American traditions the bear is similarly accorded great respect. Many tribes believed that the “Great Spirit” (the creator God) would often take on the form of a bear in the material world. For virtually every tribe the bear was a symbol of wisdom and strength, as well as being a creature that brought magical powers of healing and medicine. There were also many taboos about hunting bears during particular seasons so as to avoid killing a mother bear with her cubs. In some tribes, as in European traditions, it was forbidden to speak the name of the bear outside a ritual context.

  Although bears are still common in parts of North America, their habitat has gradually been encroached upon and today bears and humans coexist uneasily. In this collection of stories, the tale of the “Little Black Bear and the Big Sleep” touches on the importance of understanding bears’ habits and behaviours. Just like our ancestors, we need to learn once again to revere our fellow creatures so that we can live harmoniously with the natural world. The bear can teach us courage and power and the respect we need to show to nature.

  The Tortoise

  In many cultures around the world the tortoise is a symbol of steadfastness, wisdom and longevity – no doubt reflecting the great age tortoises can reach, as well as observing that they move slowly and steadily, meeting their needs through patience and a quiet strength. In a number of cultures including Hindu, Chinese and that of several Native North American tribes, tortoises or turtles were seen as bearing the weight of the world upon their backs – so great is their strength and reliability. According to Mohawk tradition, an earthquake is a sign of the World Turtle stretching to relieve the great weight she is bearing.

  In Hinduism the World Turtle is called Kurma, with the earth seen as its lower shell, the atmosphere its body and the heavens its upper shell. In Chinese tradition the tortoise is one of the four fabulous animals that govern the points of the compass. The tortoise rules the north and is a symbol of endurance, strength and longevity, and was believed to have helped the god Pangu create the world. Tortoise shells were used for divination and it was believed that the upper part of the shell showed the signs for the constellations while the lower part related to the earth.

  The tortoise was also an important animal for the Japanese, who associated it with immortal beings, good fortune, support and longevity, while in Vietnam the turtle is a central figure in myth and legend. One story recounts how the king of Vietnam offered the Chinese emperor a sacred turtle on whose shell was written all the events that occurred since time began. The Golden Turtle god, known as Kim Qui, is thought to have appeared at opportune moments throughout Vietnamese history. And at certain Taiwanese festivals, turtle-shaped cakes are made to ensure the year ahead is filled with harmony and prosperity.

  In Aesop’s Fables the story of the hare and the tortoise celebrates the patience and stamina of the tortoise in beating the hare in a race. The hare is arrogant and, confident of winning, takes a nap part way through the race, only to be beaten by the slow and steady tortoise.

  The lesson of the tortoise is one of gentle resilience, a powerful message for both children and adults to absorb. In this collection, the story “The Tortoise’s Birthday Trip” shows how quiet patience and endurance is rewarded by a wonderful adventure.

  How Children Learn From
Animals

  Folk tales, myths and legends about animals have all been used traditionally in cultures around the world to provide insight, wisdom and guidance. The stories in this collection build on this tradition helping your child grow in maturity and knowledge through lessons from the natural world. However, in addition to reading the stories with your child, you may also like to consider some other ways to help your child gain new levels of understanding from animals.

  City farms

  Children growing up in the city generally have very limited exposure to the animals that underpin our way of life. City farms offer an opportunity for children to interact with animals such as sheep, goats, chickens and even cows. This allows children to discover our dependency on animals for food, clothing and so much that we take for granted. Children may be startled to learn that milk comes from cows rather than a plastic bottle or that the sheep’s back provides their woollen jumper, but these are essential facts to help build a child’s sense of the interdependency between us and the natural world. City farms also allow children to appreciate first-hand the importance of animal welfare and to consider the conditions in which we raise the animals we rely on for food. As pressure for farming efficiency and the mass production of food grows, city farms can provide a timely reminder of the importance of respecting the welfare of the living creatures upon whom our own health and welfare depend.

  Create your own farm

  You may like to give some thought to the possibilities of animal husbandry in your own garden. Increasingly city-dwellers are exploring the options of bee-keeping, chicken runs and worm farms. These activities will help you and your child reconnect to nature and learn skills that our ancestors took for granted. Through a worm farm you can reduce your household waste and create a constant supply of compost for the garden, while chickens and bees will provide you with your own food supply.

  Sponsoring an animal

  Zoos and animal parks offer the chance to sponsor endangered species and this provides an ideal opportunity for young children to learn about the importance of nature conservation and the protection of habitats. By sponsoring an animal, a child can gain an understanding of the unique beauty of a particular animal and learn about the threats to the animal’s environment. A sense of the interconnected relationship between living things and the need to protect what is rare and endangered will be an important lesson.