The Forest Spirit (Years 3–4/P4–5) Synopsis

A woodsman is blowing on his hands when a forest spirit asks what he is doing. The man explains he is warming his hands with his breath, to make them ready for work. After chopping and stacking wood, the man cooks some food. As he blows on his food to cool it down, the forest spirit appears again. Is he warming his food with his breath? No, he is cooling his food with his breathe. ‘Humans are strange’ thinks the forest spirit.

Comprehension • Before listening: Explain that this story from Germany is about a woodsman. Ask: What is a woodsman and why is his job important? • Pause when the fog descends the second time. Predict what is about to happen and what the forest spirit might say or ask this time. • Explore the literal and idiomatic meanings of the phrase ‘blow hot and cold’. Discuss how these relate to the story and to human behaviour in general. • The story shows the relationship between man (the woodsman) and nature (the forest spirit). Ask: Why does the forest spirit think humans are strange? What actions does he find confusing? What about the woodsman – does he think the forest spirit is strange? Why? • Discuss how the woodsman is presented. Ask: Is he a destructive influence on the forest or does he balance man’s needs and nature’s needs? Support answers with evidence from the story. • Discuss techniques used by the storyteller to entertain and help the listener visualise events.

Activities • Make a timeline to show the events in the woodsman’s day. Mark on the appearances of the forest spirit that make the day unusual. • In pairs, dramatise the scenes between the woodsman and the forest spirit, using voice and dialogue to create the two characters. Use mime, gesture and sound effects to show the actions and reactions of the woodsman. • Write a dialogue between the woodsman and the forest spirit as direct speech. • Imagine what a forest spirit might look like. Draw it or make it out of woodland materials. Write a description. • Plan and write a story about a forest spirit who helps to protect a tree or woodland. • Write a job description for a woodsman or forest spirit. • Research sustainable forests, e.g. how trees are grown and harvested; what the wood is used for; the work of a forester/woodsman in maintaining the forest. • Explore the positive and negative impact of humans on living things in woodland environments.