Picking up the Gauntlet . . .

Once I remember wonderful Suzanne Down challenging her newsletter readers to try writing a shelter story using a sea side theme. She suggested the sea shell becoming the common shelter--similar to the tale of "The Mitten", where a little mouse happens upon an abandoned mitten and calls it home, and along comes a little friend, and then another. Always each new friend is welcomed to join the others. What a great idea, I thought (thank you, Suzanne!) and sat down to give it a try. Those of you who have written your own stories know that the first moments are the trickiest . . . but it's always worth the effort! Somehow the tale begins to speak and guide the writer into what to say. For my story I ended up using the same rhyming format as a German shelter story another dear friend introduced me to called "The Pot" (thank you, Renate Hiller!) The version written here works nicely for those living in a beach community as I do, or during the summer time and early autumn. At the end of this story you'll see a little 'horse of the sea' puppet pattern, to help bring the tale to life!

And now, dear friends, I am throwing the gauntlet to you! Begin a story today . . . take a few minutes to drink in the wonders of nature in your backyard or a beloved park, then bathe in the quiet and listen . . . write what comes to you!! Scroll down this page for a link to tips on storytelling!

Shining Shell
by Connie Manson © 2012

In the ocean blue, near the shore, the waves rolled this-a way, and they rolled that a-way. A sea shell tumbled and tossed in the water. It rolled and rolled and then came to a stop on the sandy ocean bottom. The sun was shining brightly up above, and little rays of sunshine danced in the water. A tiny blue fish came darting by, swimming up and swimming down, and looking all around. It saw the sea shell lying there. It looked to be as big as a smooth, shining palace! It swam up to the sea shell and called “Shining shell, shining shell, who dwells here?” But no one answered, because no one was inside. “Then I shall live here,” it said, and it made a cozy home inside the shell.

Along came goldie the fish. It saw the sea shell and called out, “Shining shell, shining shell, who dwells here?”

“I do, tiny blue, oh-so-true, and who are you?”

“I am goldie the fish, who darts and dips.”

“Come inside, and make yourself a home here.”

And so the two of them began to live together. After a time, a little starfish came crawling by. It saw the sea shell and called out, “Shining shell, shining shell, who dwells here?”

“I do, goldie the fish, who darts and dips.”

“I do, tiny blue, oh-so-true, and who are you?”

“I am sandy the starfish who carries a wish.”

“Come inside, and make yourself a home here.”

And so the three of them began to live together.  Along came a sea turtle, paddling by. He saw the sea shell and called out, “Shining shell, shining shell, who dwells here?”

“I do, sandy the starfish who carries a wish.”

“I do, goldie the fish, who darts and dips.”

“I do, tiny blue, oh-so-true, and who are you?”

“I am snappy the turtle who paddles and flips.”

 “Come inside, and make yourself a home here.”
And so the four of them began to live together.

Suddenly before them darted a little sea horse. He was in a great hurry. He saw the sea shell and cried, “I am horse of the sea, please rescue me, for an octopus, he chases me!”

“Let’s bring him inside--a shelter we’ll be!”

Little horse of the sea was safely tucked inside. The octopus came gliding by. He looked this-a-way, he looked that-a-way. But nothing could he spy, save a shining shell that sat nearby.

Said the octopus, “How could that creature disappear so fast?”  Oh-so-quietly the little friends sat, until at last, the octopus went gliding away.

And from that day on, the little friends lived ever safe and sound, in their shining home on the sandy ground.

Directions for a finger puppet: Cut out two pieces from felt. The horse of the sea I modeled on was a beautiful lavender color! If eyes or desired you can use a french knot from embroidery floss or tiny black seed beads. 


Sew around the edges with a blanket stitch or overcast stitch, leaving the bottom of the belly section open if you'd like to use it as a finger puppet.

Marionette option: Add a small stone and lightly stuff with wool and sew up the opening.  Add a string at the head and fin to create a simple marionette!
'A Journey Through Spring' Resource Book
 is now available!

It is so exciting to announce the completion of the third volume of the Seasonal Journey Series! Click on this link for details on how to order: STARLITE PUPPETS BOOKS AND RESOURCES PAGE

And work has begun on creating 'A Journey Through Summer' as well!! Plans are also in motion to begin recording 'A Journey Through Winter' companion cd. We'll keep you posted on the progress. 

In honor of warmer weather, enjoy an excerpt from 'A Journey Through Spring' to use as a verse or mini-puppet story. In the picture a needle felted root baby was the base, and to make a jaunty hat felt pieces were cut into dandelion petals and tied tightly together at one end. I had a very large acorn cap I used as the base, hot glued the petals to the acorn cap, and then wrapped the cap with green felt its base. The second hat is a loosely woven small hat I picked up at a craft store. I used a stiff translucent white fabric, cut it into small squares, folded it over once, then folded it once more to become a smaller square. Silver thread was tied on at the fold. The white puffs were tied to a stick, the folded part tucked into the hat, and pulled out when the breezes blow! Wheeee! Off they go! 

The Dandelion  by Connie Manson

"In a meadow soft and green, 
A little flower can be seen,
She gaily wears a yellow hat,
Then changes to a white one just like that!

Springtime* breezes gently blow,
And away the puffy blossoms go.

Bobbing to the east,
Swaying to the west;
Rising up so high into the air,
Dancing and bowing and floating there!

The golden meadow once more she sees,
Who calls, “Won’t you please come back to me?”
Then white blossoms without a sound,
Softly fall upon the ground.

To rest and slumber, there to stay 
And wear a golden hat another day!" 
by Connie Manson

*Note: Summertime breezes can be substituted here!