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Trees, birds, kids and stories

— Photo: T. Singaravelou

In rapt attention: Children at the storytelling session at the botanical garden in Puducherry on Friday.

PUDUCHERRY: Amidst tall trees and chirping birds, it was raining stories for a group of young children at the Botanical Garden here. A storytelling competition for elders, with a view to reviving the age-old tradition, was held on Friday.

The competition, organised by HOPE foundation, saw a number of active participants narrating stories to young children. While enthusiastic children sat attentively, it was the elders who stole the show with their energetic narration of stories.

“The objective of the competition was to reduce the gap between two generations. Storytelling is an age-old practice which has vanished now with reduction in joint family systems,” Director of HOPE P. Joseph Victor Raj said.

He said children either watched television or played computer games and did not have the opportunity to listen to grandma’s stories. “Through this competition, we want the children to interact with elders and develop listening skills,” he said.

Filled with morals, the stories drew a lot of applause from the tiny tots. Morals such as obeying parents, time management and hard work for success were put forward to the children through the stories.

One of the participants, through her story, advised the children to learn at least one handicraft, while another parent said obedience to parents and hard work held the key to happiness.

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