In short
Themes: Fables; stories with a moral; peacefulness; contentedness.
Summary: This assembly, which is suitable for an act of collective worship, focuses on a traditional tale called 'The Three Wishes' and explores the value of peacefulness.
Resources: The framework to download / print (pdf) and an image to display of the word 'Peacefulness'. You will need a few images/or objects that represent peace - eg an image of a dove or an olive branch (which are symbols of peace in Judaism and Christianity), or an image of the Japanese Peace Bell, which is outside the UN headquarters in New York and is sounded on the International Day of Peace (21 September) each year.
The video
BEN: Hiya, I'm Ben, and this is the magical story of The Three Wishes.
There was once a man who lived a simple, peaceful life.
Ah… Ah…
But, although he liked the peace and quiet, he began to tire of it and longed for something exciting to happen.
But would you believe it, one day, he was visited by a magical, all-powerful spirit who granted him three wishes.
SPIRIT: Special delivery!
MAN: Wow, three wishes for me?
BEN: Now the man could make his life much more exciting.
MAN: Now, for my first wish, I'm going to ask to be rich.
BEN: Suddenly, the man had enough money to buy himself anything, like a big house. Wow! With servants to do his work.
And musicians to entertain him.
He was so happy, and wanted to share all his new wishes. So, he invited lots of people over for parties!
The man's life became busier and a lot noisier.
He wasn't left alone for a moment.
Oi!
The man knew he was rich, but his busy, noisy new life had made him unhappy and grumpy.
BEN: The man decided enough was enough. He missed the peace and quiet of his old life and longed for that again. So, he knew what his second wish would be. He asked the magic spirit for his old, peaceful life back.
Like magic, the man's life returned to just how it was. But, he still had one more wish left. What would he wish for? For his third wish, he asked for his life to remain peaceful forever.
And it was.
Anyone fancy an apple? Thanks for helping me tell today's treasure story. It comes from an old folk tale. See you again soon.
ALL: Bye!
This story is a traditional tale that appears in a number of cultures in slightly different guises and as an element within different stories. The most familiar to many children might be the story of Aladdin where the genie gives the bearer of a lamp three wishes to use.
The fable helps us to reflect deeply on where we find happiness and peacefulness. In this retelling, the protagonist ends up in the same situation at the end of the wishes as at the beginning albeit with the promise that his peacefulness will last forever.The peacefulness in this story isn’t only ‘peace and quiet’, but a contentedness of knowing that the person is in the best place for them.
Duration: 3' 23"
Final words: 'See you again soon!' / 'Bye!'
Video questions
- At the beginning of the story, what was the man’s life like? (Simple and peaceful)
- How many wishes was the man granted? (Three)
- What did he choose for the first wish? (To be rich)
- What did he choose for his second wish (To have his old life back again)
- What did he choose for his final wish? (For his life to remain peaceful forever)
Assembly framework (pdf) document
Download / print the assembly framework ready for use
Peacefulness. image
Click to display image full size
1. Entry
As the children enter display the images that symbolise peace and play your chosen song.
2. Introduction
Ask the children to look at the images and to see if they recognise any of them. What do they symbolise?You could then show an image of a place you have visited that was 'peaceful' and explain why the place you have visited was a peaceful place as part of a discussion about what factors contribute to 'peacefulness'.Explain that 'peacefulness' and the enjoyment of peace are important in the story that everyone is now going to watch…
3. Play the video
The duration is 3’ 23” and the final words are: ‘See you again soon.' / 'Bye!'
4. After the video - Time to talk
Lead a discussion about the story by asking the assembly the following questions:
- What happened and how did the man feel when he became rich? (He was busy and his life became noisy. He was unhappy.)
- How did he change his situation? (The children might describe the second and third wishes and that the man was peaceful again.)
- Do you think all people find peacefulness in the same ways?
- What makes you feel peaceful? How does your mind and body feel when you are peaceful?
- There is an old proverb that says ‘The grass is always greener on the other side’. What do you think this means? Do you think it's true?
5. Opportunity to sing
Suggestions from BBC collections below.
6. Opportunity for reflection
Let's think about some times when we have felt peaceful…
Maybe you can imagine a place where you feel peaceful or times when you have felt really comfortable with other people…
Maybe spending time with good friends or with family…
What is it about those times that helps you to feel peaceful…?
How and when will you be feeling peaceful today…?
7. Opportunity for prayer
Begin with your usual form of address (‘Dear God’, ‘Let us pray’, etc) and:
Thank you for stories that help us to think about peacefulness.
Help us to notice and enjoy the good things in our lives that help us to feel peaceful.
Thank you for places, people and things that bring joy in our lives.
Amen.
Suggested songs
Song: 'Peace is flowing' (Come and Praise, no 144. Vocal version)
Peace is flowing like a river,
Flowing out through you and me,
Spreading out into the desert,
Setting all the people free.Love is flowing like a river,
Flowing out through you and me,
Spreading out into the desert,
Setting all the people free.Joy is flowing like a river,
Flowing out through you and me,
Spreading out into the desert,
Setting all the people free.Hope is flowing like a river,
Flowing out through you and me,
Spreading out into the desert,
Setting all the people free.
'God is watching over you' (All about our school, no 7)
God is watching over you,
When you lay down to sleep,
When you wake he will keep
Always watching over you,
Now and forever more.God is watching over you,
When you lay down to sleep,
When you wake he will keep
Always watching over you,
Now and forever more.
Now and forever more.
Song: 'Chain of love' (All about our school, no 14. Vocal version)
- For the children of tomorrow
We’ve got to make it a better place,
Fill the world with love and laughter,
Make a fresh start for the human race.
(Chorus)
Chain of love, chain of love,
Circle the world with a chain of love,
Chain of love, chain of love,
Circle the world with a chain of love.
- No more war and no more hunger,
No more jealousy and hate,
Say goodbye to greed and sadness,
Make a change now or it will be too late.
(Chorus)
(Middle eight)
Circle the world, circle the world,
Circle the world, circle the world.
- Doesn’t matter where you come from,
Doesn’t matter where you’ve been,
Different race or creed or colour,
We are the same underneath our skin.
(Chorus)
Chain of love, chain of love,
Circle the world with a chain of love,
Chain of love, chain of love,
Circle the world with a chain of love.
Circle the world with a chain of love.
