NARRATOR:'Sophie, Ben and Karim are going on a quest. Adventure!'
SOPHIE:Yay!
NARRATOR:'Excitement! Peril.'
KARIM:Oh.
NARRATOR:'You know, all the usual questy stuff. Their plan is to find the mysterious golden bird. Which lives deep in the forest.'
GOLDEN BIRD:SQUAWK!
NARRATOR:'Unfortunately, they haven't actually set off yet because they've spent the past two hours arguing about who's going to carry what. Karim has hurt his arm. So he doesn't think he should carry too much In fact, he's going to struggle to carry anything. Sophie is the smallest, so she thinks she should carry less than the others'
NARRATOR:'especially Ben, who's much bigger.'
BEN:Woo hoo. Waha!
NARRATOR:'But Ben is seriously unhappy about carrying more stuff. Because he's only bought a tiny amount. He thinks, he can't help being bigger. Why should he have to carry other people's stuff? Phh!' So, how are they going to sort it out? and actually find the golden bird now that they're not even talking to each other.'
NARRATOR:'What is the fairest way to share out the kit? What does 'fair' mean?'
NARRATOR:'Hours later and they've still not decided who's carrying what. Well, now it's lunch time and Sophie's tummy is making some rather strange noises. She says they should eat before they carry on and suggests they all share out their lunches.'
KARIM:Yeah.
BEN:Yeah.
NARRATOR:'Karim has bought a pretty decent spread - lots of tasty stuff to keep them going. But Ben has only bought what he can afford. Which isn't as much. And Sophie's bought - well, loads!'
SOPHIE:Yay.
NARRATOR:'Karim's not sure about sharing when he's bought more than Ben. But then he has an idea. Maybe Ben could earn some extra food if he agrees to carry more on the journey. But Ben doesn't think it's fair to make him do all the work just because he hasn't got as much food. This is going to be tricky. Oh dear.'
NARRATOR:'It looks like they've spent so long arguing The bird has flown off on a quest of its own. Oh look, he's left them a little present.'
NARRATOR:'Is there a solution that makes everyone happy?
NARRATOR:'Is fairness important?'
Video summary
An animated parable adapted from a story by Jason Buckley, exploring the age-old question of what is fair.
Three children are deciding how best to share out their kit before they go on a quest.
This might encourage children to reflect on whether there is a difference between fairness and equality, and how we consider those that are in some way disadvantaged.
This short film is from the BBC series, What Makes Me, Me? And Other Interesting Questions.
Teacher Notes
This short film could be used as a lesson starter for a philosophical discussion around what’s fair, and whether and how resources should be shared.
The clip could be watched in parts with pauses for discussion.
Pupils could sit in a circle and use the questions at the end of each part, or you could work with the children to choose your own, to encourage them to consider what fair means: Is it when everything is divided equally, or when people have what they need?
This could also lead to a wider discussion on society and whether the rich and the poor should be treated the same.
Further questions could include, "Is there a difference between equality and fairness?" and "Would the same answers apply if we talked about a whole society of people?" at the end of part 2.
Questions to prompt alternative viewpoints might include: "Would you give up your lunch for someone who has less than you? Why/ why not?"
This short film will be relevant for teaching PSHE at KS1 and KS2 in England and Wales, and 1st and 2nd levels in Scotland.
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