THE SHIPWRECKED SAILOR – Egypt Theme: Hope, courage, compassion Once upon a time a long, long time ago in ancient Egypt, there was a Captain of a ship. He had been lost at sea and lost his ship and everything it was carrying. He was very sad and worried he would get into trouble. Another Captain heard his story and said, “Fear not, let me tell you a story. Once I was riding on a great ship. We had the strongest and most courageous men aboard. Their hearts were as fierce as lions. However, a terrible storm swept up and the ship was lost. I floated alone on a piece of wood from the ship, until I washed up on an island. There I found many trees with abundant food to eat, coconuts, figs and fish. I was so grateful, I made a fire and thanked the Gods. Just then, lightening struck and the ground shook and suddenly before me was a snake! It cried out, “’Who are you? Why have you come?’” Quickly I told him everything that had happened to me. “’Ah,’” the snake said. “I hear your cries. I too, have lost things dear to me. A star once fell on this island and my whole family was lost. I was so sad. You and I, we are both survivors!’” “Just then, I thought of my own family and was sad, but he said,” “’Don’t be afraid or be sad! Have courage! Good will come from your difficulty. You are safe here. And in four months, you will be rescued. A ship will come for you and you will see your family again!’” I was so grateful! I told the serpent that I would send gifts of gold and many riches for his kindness and hospitality. But the serpent only laughed. “’I have all the riches I could ever need! Besides, this island will disappear forever under the waves once you leave. But it will always be with you inside your heart. Whenever you have difficulty, have courage and remember the island that lives inside of you.’” Indeed the serpent was right! A ship did come for me! I thanked the serpent and said farewell! The serpent asked that I say good things about him upon my return. He gave me many gifts, such as monkeys, dogs and many precious things, which I gave to the Pharaoh, who gave me a lovely house and made me lieutenant. “So my friend,” the Captain said to the other Captain. “Don’t worry. And never fear. You never know what good comes from hardship.” THE SHIPWRECKED SAILOR – Yoga Poses The Sailor - warrior II, virabhadrasana II. Hearts as Fierce as Lions – Lion pose, simhasana. Boat – boat pose, navasana. Island - downward dog, adho mukha svanasana Tree – Tree pose, vrksasana Fish to eat – fish pose, matsyasana Fire – bound angle pose, baddha konasana Lightening – warrior III, virabhadrasana III Serpent – cobra pose, bhujangasana Star – half-moon pose – ardha chandrasana Monkeys – jumping like a monkey or splits, hanumanasana, or side leg pose, janu shirsasana Dogs - downward dog, adho mukha svanasana Remember the island that is always inside the heart – camel pose, ustrasana Discussion: Ask children to talk about a time when they were scared. What happened? Who was there? How did they overcome their fear? Was there anything that good happened out of the difficulty? Think of somebody who has had a hard time or problem. Ask children to relate similarities in their life to what happened to the other. How can we help others who are in distress? <<Back to the Storytime Store