Storytelling- Mother Buzzard: the return of the light- a story of the Spring Equinox

This story is written and told by Danny English.

In the times of the ancient moons long before anybody you have ever heard of was born there was a forest that covered the whole of the world.

In the forest lived many creatures but two had important significance; the mole and the buzzard. One held darkness the other light and it was agreed that in one cycle of the sun both would get an equal amount of time in the forest. However, mole became hungry for power and created a magical potion and a magical plan to trick Mother Buzzard.

Find out if the magic works, how the creatures of the forest respond and if light ever returned to the Earth.

After listening to this story consider the following questions:

1). Did you know that in the far north ad the far south they experience 6 months of darkness and 6 months of constant light. Consider what living like this would feel like? Imagine 6 months with no night time, how would that make you feel?

2). In the story mole makes a magical paste that transforms a boulder into a stone egg- can you head outdoors and collect some ingredients to make a potion of your own? Consider a magic spell too...remember to be kind.

3. The buzzard is a very majestical bird and is a common sight in the North of England, have you seen one recently. We often hear the buzzards before we see them, they let out a long 'meow' sound like a cat. Nest time you're outdoors see if you can see or hear a buzzard and remember the story of Mother Buzzard.