Exploring the value of democracy through the fable of The Farmer's Cart.
The video
AMY: Hello, I'm Amy, thank you, this is Cole, and we're going to tell you the surprising story of The Farmer's Cart. All done. Brilliant, high five!
Once, there was a farmer and he used the cart to carry their milk every day.
Save some for later, Cole. All aboard.
Shall we go? Very good.
But today, as the farmer was travelling along in his cart, something amazing happened. One of the wheels started to talk. "Look at me, turning around and driving this cart. I'm the bestest, fastest, spinniest wheel ever. Without me, this cart would just be a box. I'm in charge and I want to go faster!"
Then, something just as amazing happened. The bolt that was holding the wheel together talked back. "Excuse me, wheel, the other parts of the cart are just as important as you."
But the bolt hadn't finished talking yet. "Lots of us other parts of the cart are feeling very tired and want to rest." YAWNS "I'm tired of being pulled," said the handle. "And I'm tired of being leaned on," said the wood.
Even the other wheels were tired. "We're so tired of turning, turning, turning." YAWN "See, I may be only little, but everyone is important. I say we should have a vote. Who wants to go, and who wants to stop?"
"I want to stop."
"I want to stop."
"We want to stop."
AMY: But, the wheel ignored the bolt and the other parts of the cart and kept on going even faster.
"I don’t have to listen to a tiny bolt or any other parts of the cart. I'm the wheel. What I say is much more important. Now, I'm busy driving the farmer and his milk. Faster! Faster!"
Well, the bolt did not like that one bit. "How dare that wheel! There's only one of him and lots of us. Well, we may be smaller than the wheel, but what we say still matters."
So, the bolt decided to teach the wheel a lesson. The bolt pushed until eventually she popped out of the cart completely. Well, the wheel didn't notice at first, but then, suddenly, the wheel came off too.
GASPS The farmer couldn't believe what had happened! And that's when the wheel realised something.
"I should've listened to that bolt. Without all the other parts of the cart, I can't go anywhere. I'm sorry."
"We forgive you, wheel, but remember next time that everyone is important. All us parts should listen to each other. That's fair." Well, the wheel listened to what the other parts of the cart had to say and they all agreed to have a long, well-earned rest.
Thank you, Cole, for helping tell today's treasure story. It was based on an old folk tale. See you again soon, bye!
The story of The Farmer’s Cart is a fable. A fable is a story that has a moral or simple learning that can be applied to life.
This story focuses on the value of democracy and explores how important it is for everyone to have a chance to have their voice heard. The farmer in the story has a cart for transporting milk. One day, the parts of the cart start to speak up about how they are feeling. Not all the parts agree with each other!
This fable can help us to reflect on the value of democracy and what can happen if we give everyone a chance to share their view and contribute to decision-making. It also touches on the idea that democracy means that not everyone always gets what they want.
Duration: 4' 04"
Final words: 'See you again soon! Bye!'
Video questions
- What amazing thing happened when the farmer was pulling his cart? (One of the wheels started to talk)
- What did the wheel want to do? (Go faster)
- What was the handle tired of? (Being pulled)
- What did the bolt do to teach the wheel a lesson? (The bolt pushed until she popped out of the wheel)
- What happened next? (The wheel fell off)
Teacher Notes
In the story the bolt says: 'I may be only little but everyone is important.' What do you think about what the bolt says? Why?
Put the learning of the fable into action. Ask the children to think about questions they would like to ask the other class members and create a chart to record the answers - eg What is your favourite story? What is your favourite game? How do you get to school? Explain that all children get to comment. You could also turn these into statements for class members to either agree with or disagree - eg 'Computer games are the best kind of games'.
The children could also find out views about topical matters, such as environmental issues or something suitable that has been in the news.
A key part of the activity will be giving children the opportunity to share their findings and present them to the class. Think about the best way for your class to do this - eg display their charts; make a poster about the answers with the most votes; present verbally to the class.
Remind everyone that, just as in the story, 'small' voices can still be heard!
Curriculum Notes
This short film will be relevant for teaching KS1 Religious Education in England and Northern Ireland, the Curriculum for Wales (particularly RVE as part of Humanities), and Early and 1st Level Religious and Moral Education in Scotland.
Further resources
