habitually probing generalist

I had to tell my 2nd story in Storytelling today.  Since my other efforts didn’t pan out I had to switch focus—my recently decided 3rd story became my learn it immediately 2nd story. 

I told Effervescing Elephant which is track 12 (last) of Syd Barrett’s 2nd solo album (both in 1970).

In class we pegged it as for 4 to 7-8 yr-olds and adults.  I was not comfortable about this one for some reason.  Right before class, I practiced on two wonderful ladies, Lisa and Kristen, at our Center for Children’s Books.  I really botched the 1st try and still flubbed the 2nd, but just telling it to them helped prepare me.  I did a pretty good job with it.  I actually got into a little sing-songy thing which provided me the rhythm I needed, cause Lord knows I don’t have any!  But thankfully, as Rachel Anne pointed out, I didn’t sing it either.  Of course, Barret speaks it.  One good reason for picking it—trying to do songs that were sung wasn’t working out is how I got to the failed personal narrative situation.    I even managed to get a little voice characterizations in but could’ve been smoother.  Anyway, I spit it out OK.  A few want to hear it again, and several asked for the lyrics, while everyone laughed.  I’ll call this one a success.  Lots of good learning involved for me, and others enjoyed it; just wish it would’ve felt more comfortable or I would’ve felt more comfortable beforehand.  I’ll just have to grow into it.  And I believe I’m changing ‘stupid water bison’ to ‘silly water bison,’ for kids at least.

Enjoy!

An Effervescing Elephant
with tiny eyes and great big trunk
once whispered to the tiny ear
the ear of one inferior
that by next June he’d die, oh yeah!
because the tiger would roam.
The little one said: "Oh my goodness I must stay at home!
and every time I hear a growl
I’ll know the tiger’s on the prowl
and I’ll be really safe, you know
the elephant he told me so."
Everyone was nervy, oh yeah!
and the message was spread
to zebra, mongoose, and the dirty hippopotamus
who wallowed in the mud and chewed
his spicy hippo-plankton food
and tended to ignore the word
preferring to survey a herd
of stupid water bison, oh yeah!
And all the jungle took fright,
and ran around for all the day and the night
but all in vain, because, you see,
the tiger came and said: "Who me?!
You know, I wouldn’t hurt not one of you.
I’d much prefer something to chew
and you’re all too scant." oh yeah!
He ate the Elephant!