Kid's World

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When kids speak out, The Sentinel listens

The Sentinel at www.cumberlink.com Tuesday • February 14, 2012 — D1

megan bollingerCopy Editor

Tell Me A Story

The Willow Wife

adaPTed by amy FriedmanilluSTraTed by Jillian gilliland

Once upon a time, a beautiful willow tree stood near the center of a village. Everyone who passed the tree marveled at its strength and beauty. In spring and summertime, when those branches waved in the wind, people admired the willow’s elegance and grace. In wintertime, when the willow’s branches were covered with snow, it protected people, like a huge umbrella.

A young man named Hiroshi lived with his family, and from his bedroom window he could see the tree. Each morning when Hiroshi woke, he looked out his window and sighed with pleasure at the sight of the tree waving in the wind, proud and sturdy in the rain, exquisite in the sun-shine. When Hiroshi walked to school, he passed the tree. He often stopped to admire it, taking in its beauty and its scent.

One day the village elders decided it was time to build a bridge over the river. Soon the workmen began to chop down trees for timber for that bridge. When Hiroshi, now a young man, heard the sound of those axes, his heart skipped a beat; he feared his beloved willow might fall. He visited the elders to beg for mercy for the tree. “I love the willow,” he said. “I will give you money -- anything it takes to save this tree from the builders’ axes.”

Impressed by Hiroshi’s devotion, the elders granted his wish, and the willow tree was saved.

After this, Hiroshi was more grateful than ever for the willow tree. He began to visit it every morning and every night. Many days he stood beneath its branches and said prayers of thanks for all the gifts of this world -- for his family, for the birds and beasts, and most especially for this tree, which gave him such joy. Some days he whispered his troubles to the willow tree. When he had finished, he felt healed. He was so certain that the willow understood. His devotion grew deeper as he grew older.

As Hiroshi approached the tree one evening, he saw a beautiful woman standing in the place where he usually said his prayers. He walked up to her and bowed. “Dear lady,” he said, “are you waiting for someone?”?

“He will not come,” she said, smiling sweetly at him.“What kind of man is this who does not meet such a fair

woman?” Hiroshi replied. “It is a terrible thing when love is not returned.”

“He loves me,” the woman said.“But he does not come to you,” he said. “Why is that?”She smiled warmly. “His heart has always been here, un-

der the willow tree,” and then she disappeared.But the next night she was there again, and once again

they talked. They spoke of the loveliness of this spot, of the peaceful night, the watchful stars. The next night they met again. The young woman told Hiroshi that her name was Kaori, but when he began to ask her more questions, she waved her hand. “Ask me nothing more about my family,” she said. “You know all that you must know.”

Hiroshi thought that she was shy, and he did not press her.

The next night they met again. Soon they were deeply in love, so one night Hiroshi asked her to marry him.

“I will,” Kaori said, “but promise you will never ask me about my past.”

“I promise,” Hiroshi said, for he did not care about that. He knew this was a woman he loved as dearly as he loved the willow tree.

Soon they married, and the next year they had a son they named Daiki. They were the happiest family in Japan. Ev-eryone said so. They were always smiling and laughing, so pleased were they by the gift of their love for each other.

The years passed, and the willow tree near their home be-came a place the couple often wandered to say their prayers of thanks. One day they were in the village when they heard the story of the emperor who wished to build a temple to Kwannon, the goddess of mercy.

“He needs timber from every village,” the people said. “He asks for our most sacred trees.”

Hiroshi’s heart contracted when he heard these words. “We must not cut down our willow,” he said, but no mat-ter how long and hard he argued, the elders of the village disagreed.

“We have no tree as large and beautiful as the willow,” they said. “It will be our most sacred gift for the most sa-cred of all temples.”

A few days later, Hiroshi was in bed when he woke to the sound of axes, and he knew they were chopping down his beloved tree. Beside him, Kaori shuddered. “My love,” she whispered into her husband’s ear, “my hair is falling from my body.”

“What do you mean?” Hiroshi asked, and he put his arms around her. He felt her trembling.

“My limbs are shattering!” she cried. Tears began to run down her face.?

“No, my dear, you are only dreaming,” he said, and he held her closer.

Suddenly there was a loud crash outside. In that instant, his wife disappeared. He lay in bed holding only a long, slender branch of golden willow leaves. Kaori’s sweet scent and tender body were gone.

“Where are you, Kaori?” he cried, but now, too late, he understood that the woman he had always loved was the spirit of the willow.

Hiroshi and Daiki mourned deeply the loss of their gentle, loving wife and mother. But they never forgot to give thanks for the blessing of her love, which had given them both life and happiness.

I am going to give my Valentine...

Kids Speak Out

Want to See Your name Here?Hey, kids! How would you like to get your story published

in Kids Speak Out? Just write a short story on one of our prompts and send it to The Sentinel. You can also draw a picture to go with your story. Each week, The Sentinel will publish some of the stories we receive in KidsWorld and on www.cumberlink.com. Only the top three essay writers, published on this page, will receive KidsWorld T-shirts. To claim T-shirts, visit The Sentinel during normal busi-ness hours.

You must be 5 to 13 years old to enter. Stories must be 150 words or less. Be sure to include your full name, age, address, school and grade. Mail your entry to “Kids Speak Out,” The Sentinel, 457 E. North St., Carlisle, PA 17013, drop it off at either Sentinel office or mail it to [email protected] with the subject “KidsWorld.”

How you can get involved with Kids Speak Outupcoming Topics

Due Feb. 17

My favorite thing to do on the weekend is...

Due Feb. 24

If I had a million dollars I would...

Due March 2

When I’m riding the school bus I like to...

Due March 9

I was eating lunch with my friends when...

Due March 16The snow was beginning

to melt so I ....

A Japanese folktale

I am going to give my Valentine a kiss. My Valen-tine is my dad. He is a postman. Valentine’s Day is

one of my favorite holidays. I like it because of when we make cards and give them to people. I am going to make cards red with hearts. The hearts are going to be

pink and red. I might give my dad a hug, too. Valen-tine’s Day is coming soon. Maybe I should start on my

red Valentine’s Day card with pink and red hearts! I hope my dad likes his.

Jedda Lusk, 6 (WINNER)Red Mill Elementary School

First grade

I am going to give my Valentine a little magic so that when the person gets it, they can have wishes. They

will be so surprised when they get it. If it’s a girl I will have a girlfriend. If it’s a boy I will have a new friend.

Trevor Henderson, 10 (WINNER)Fishing Creek Elementary

Fourth grade

I am going to give my Valentine a new dog bed and a busy bone, a new bag of treats and a coat!

Logan, 6 (WINNER)Shaull Elementary

First grade

I am going to give my Valentine a nice present. My Valentine is a horse. Her name is Sky. I go on Friday to

ride her and sometimes I ride Pumpkin.

Nadia Safouan, 6Elmwood Elementary

First grade

I am going to give my Valentine a box of chewy candy squares. I hope he will like them! If he does I

will give him another box.

Sydney, 6Elmwood Elementary

First grade

I am going to give my Valentine a robot to smack him. Max will not like it. Max will probably send it

back.

Kert, 7Elmwood Elementary

First grade

I am going to give my Valentine a very, very pretty heart because the spirit of Valentine’s Day is love.

That is what Valentine’s Day is all about. I love Valen-tine’s Day.

Aubrey M. Johns, 6Elmwood Elementary

First grade

I am going to give my Valentine an anniversary pres-ent to my Dad and Mom. I will invite them to dinner.

We will have a good time.

Kiyasi Butts, 7Shaull Elementary

First grade

I am going to give my Valentine a hug and go out for dinner. We will have such a good time together.

Madelyn Rego, 7Shaull Elementary

First grade

I am going to give my Valentine a big fat kiss right on the cheek. Just kidding. You’re so gullible.

Madison Dicely, 9Fishing Creek Elementary

Fourth grade

I am going to give my Valentine flowers. My Valen-tine is my mom because I like to give her hugs and I

like to go downstairs and watch TV with her. I love my mom.

Dylan Gutierrez, 8Bellaire Elementary

Second grade

I am going to give my Valentine a nice bracelet with heart beads that are her favorite colors: pink, orange, red and purple. I’ll put a special charm on and it is a

ballet slipper. She love ballet. My Valentine is my very nice friend. She does so many nice things for me. She

loves me a lot. She helps me and plays with me. She makes me laugh and is happy all the time.

Grace Spangler, 7Red Mill Elementary

First grade

To complete the KidQuest Challenge:Visit the websites

featured in this issue,find the answers to

our questions,then go to

www.4Kids.org/kidquest

Go to our website:www.4Kids.org/askamy

Or write: Ask Amy, 236 J.R. Pearson Hall,

1122 West Campus Rd., Lawrence, KS 66045

Super SoilThe Bureau of Land Management's Soil BiologicalCommunities for Kids, blm.gov/nstc/soil/Kids,invites you to look deep into dirt! Meet Wilbur, theSoil Wizard, and learn all about the frosting onthe Earth's birthday cake. Follow Wilbur under-ground as he explores the wonders hiddenbeneath your feet. Click on the Food Web to seehow all the elements come together to create anurturing environment for plants and animals.Now, Adopt a Soil Crittersuch as Anthony the Antor Ben the Badger, andreceive a certificate confirm-ing your new adoption.

It's All ThereThe Natural History Museum presents The Dino Directory,nhm.ac.uk/nature-online/life/dinosaurs-other-extinct-creatures/dino-directory. This online gem is full of facts, images and

features that celebrate the dapper dino. Do you know whichdinosaur you want to look up? Search by name and have a meet-and-greet with some famous faces, such as Tanius, Achillobatorand Isisaurus. You can also browse through the timeline to seewhich dinosaurs roamed the Earth during a specific era.Bookmark this site for future school projects.

What is the bestway to celebrateValentine's Day?

Tell us what you think atwww.4Kids.org/

speakout

Which twodinosaurslived inAlgeria?

What percentage of carbon dioxidecomes from soil microorganisms?

Dear Amy: How can I make my school projectsand presentations more interesting? — Anna,Minneapolis, Minn.

Dear Anna: With a little creativity, it's easyto turn an average report or project intosomething special. Instead of writing areport on a famous historical figure or liter-ary character, you could create a blog writ-ten from the viewpoint of the person you arestudying. Blogger, blogger.com, andWordPress, wordpress.com, are two popularfree choices.

Make your book report shine by buildinga wiki to organize information about thebook. Be sure to add some pictures, too!Create your own wiki for free at wikidot.com.For more creative project ideas, visit ereadingworksheets.com/e-reading-worksheets/school-project-ideas.

If you are working on a presentation,consider adding some multimedia, such asvideo clips, a slideshow or music. If usedappropriately, they can help your audiencelearn even more. For example, if you arepresenting a report on Pablo Picasso, youcould create a slideshow to feature his mostimportant paintings and show how his stylechanged over time.

Amy answers your questions about the World Wide Web at www.4Kids.org/askamy

What was the Viking alphabet called?

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What Lies BeneathDig, digonsite.com, is an awesomeplace for those passionate aboutarchaeology. Ask Dr. Dig to findout about cavemen, mummies,dinosaurs and more! Dig maga-zine also has amazing art,featuring subjects such aspharaohs and Egyptian funerals,illustrated by kids just like you. See what othershave created and feel free to send in your ownmasterpiece. Before you surf on to other kid-friendly websites, visit Fantastic Factoids to learnabout interesting mysteries and myths that willwow your friends and family.

Kids WorldPhone240-7111

[email protected]

Fax243-3121

When kids speak out, The Sentinel listens

D2 — The Sentinel at www.cumberlink.com Tuesday • February 14, 2012

megan bollingerCopy Editor

© 2012 Universal Uclick

release dates: February 11-17 6-1 (12)

from The Mini Page © 2012 Universal Uclick

Please include all of the appropriate registered trademark symbols and copyright lines in any publication of The Mini Page®.

To order, send $15.99 ($19.99 Canada) plus $5 postage and handling for each copy. Make check or money order (U.S. funds only) payable to Universal Uclick. Send to The Mini Page Book of States, Universal Uclick, P.O. Box 6814, Leawood, KS 66206. Or call toll-free 800-591-2097 or go to www.smartwarehousing.com. Please send ______ copies of The Mini Page Book of States (Item #0-7407-8549-4) at $20.99 each, total cost. (Bulk discount information available upon request.)

Name: ________________________________________________________________________

Address: _______________________________________________________________________

City: _________________________________________ State: _________ Zip: ________________

The Mini Page’s popular series of issues about each state is collected here in a 156-page softcover book. Conveniently spiral-bound for ease of use, this invaluable resource contains A-to-Z facts about each state, along with the District of Columbia. Illustrated with colorful photographsand art, and complete with updated information, The Mini Page Book of States will be a favorite in classrooms and homes for years to come.

NEW!

Valentine’s Day Is Feb. 14

Be Kind! We think of Valentine’s Day as a romantic holiday. But what if we could show love to lots of different people, even strangers, on Valentine’s Day and beyond? Feb. 13 through 19 is Random Acts of Kindness Week. During this week, kids and adults are encouraged to keep kindness to others in mindevery day of the year. The Mini Page spoke with the manager of the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation to find out more about this idea.A change in thinking During one summer in the 1990s, many violent acts took place in the area around San Francisco. They were labeled “random acts of violence.” (Random means done without a plan or method.) This gave a woman in Berkeley, Calif., the idea of doing “random acts of kindness and senseless acts of beauty.” The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation grew from her idea.

Putting values into action The RAK Foundation tries to focus attention on core values, or standards of behavior, and provide ideas for putting those values into action. Some of those values include:

leadershipresponsibilityfriendshipcouragesportsmanshipconfidencehelping

othersbelieving in

yourself

Remembering others During the Valentine’s Day holiday, it’s easy to think of people we love: parents, siblings, grandparents, friends. This year during Random Acts of Kindness Week, kids are urged to reach out to someone who might be forgotten. For example, make a Valentine card for a teacher or for a classmate whom you don’t usually talk or play with.

Random acts of kindness can be really fun to do. For example, you and friends or family might clear snow from the sidewalks and driveways of neighbors. This especially helps people who are older or who are very busy with young children or jobs.

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Words that remind us of kindness are hidden in the block below. Some words are hidden backward or diagonally, and some letters are used twice. See if you can find: ACTS, APPRECIATION, CARD, COMPLIMENT, CUPID, FACT, FAMILY, FRIENDS, GIFTS, HEART, HELP, HOLIDAY, KIND, LOVE, OPINION, POEM, RANDOM, REMEMBER, SAINT, VALENTINE, VALUES.

Kindness try ’nfind

Make a new friend today!

E T N E M I L P M O C M G J BN R K O R J H Z S D N E I R FI A Q I I E V E S F V O F A AT E R K N N B A L D A P T C MN H A E C D I M L P R C S T IE B N V L N I P E U A A T S LL K D O T F H P O M E D C W YA H O L I D A Y U T E S J H YV S M N O I T A I C E R P P A


Basset Brown

the news

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ready resourcesfrom The Mini Page © 2012 Universal Uclick

The Mini Page provides ideas for websites,books or other resources that will help you learnmore about this week’s topics.On the Web:

elementary-schoolAt the library:

Press


A Heartfelt HolidayAn old holiday Will your class celebrate Valentine’s Day with a party? This special day has been celebrated for more than 1,500 years! Although we usually just say Valentine’s Day, it is actually called Saint Valentine’s Day.Saint Valentine There were several saints named Valentine, but the holiday is probably named for two Italian saints. One of the Valentines was put in prison. The story goes that he befriended the jailer’s daughter, who visited him there. Before he died, he sent her a letter, signed “From your

phrase on greeting cards today. The day was linked to romantic love more than 700 years ago, during the Middle Ages.

Express your love …

red, violets are blue …” An English nursery rhyme from the late 1700s includes those words:

“The rose is red, the violet’s blue “The honey’s sweet, and so are you “Thou art my love, and I am thine “I drew thee to my Valentine: “The lot was cast, and then I drew “And fortune said it should be you.”

Can you write a poem to your friend or loved one starting with “Roses are red, violets are blue”?… and your friendship

American countries, Feb. 14 is el dia del amor y la amistad (day of love and friendship). People do special things for friends to show them they are appreciated. Even a phone call or an email to a faraway friend or family member is appreciated on Feb. 14.

Watch out for Cupid! Do you ever see pictures on Valentine’s cards of a little boy angel with a bow and arrow? He is Cupid, the son of the Roman goddess of love, Venus. According to legend, when Cupid strikes gods or people with his arrows, they fall in love.A busy post office Valentine’s Day keeps postal workers busy, with more than 1 billion cards sent throughout the world each year. The first cards sold

in the United States became available in the 1840s; before that, people hand-made their cards.

This is a Valentine card from 1909.


Patton: Why did the angry lady put a firecracker under the pancakes?

Pierre: She wanted to blow her stack!

Paula: Did you hear about the boy who ate 500 pancakes?

Pete: How waffle!

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All the following jokes have something in common. Can you guess the common theme or category?

Parker: What sport does a pancake compete in?Pamela: Stack and field!

Mini Spy . . .Mini Spy is taking a casserole to a friend who has been


TM

Rookie Cookie’s RecipeBlack Bean Salad

You’ll need:

drained and rinsed

What to do:1. Combine beans, tomatoes, red bell pepper, purple onion and cilantro

in a medium bowl.2. Mix remaining ingredients in a small jar; shake vigorously.3. Pour dressing over bean mixture and stir gently until evenly mixed.4. Chill for one hour to blend flavors. You will need an adult’s help with this recipe. from The Mini Page © 2012 Universal Uclick

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1 4 teaspoon salt1 4 teaspoon pepper


Meet Matt Damon Matt Damon stars as the father, Benjamin Mee, in the movie “We Bought a Zoo.” The movie is based on a true story. Matt has acted in many movies. He was the voice of Bill the Krill in “Happy Feet Two.” He also has produced and appeared in a History Channel show, “The People Speak.” Matt, 41, was born in Boston. He majored in English at Harvard University. He and

his friend Ben Affleck wrote the screenplay for the movie “Good Will Hunting” (an adult-level movie) as part of an English class assignment. Matt and Ben both acted in the movie as well. Matt has co-founded two charities. Water.org helps provide safe,

helps people in danger in troubled countries.

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Practice Kindness

The Mini Page StaffBetty Debnam - Founding Editor and Editor at Large Lisa Tarry - Managing Editor Lucy Lien - Associate Editor Wendy Daley - Artist

Learning to be kind This year as part of Random Acts of Kindness Week, educators will focus on helping kids increase their self-confidence and improve their views of themselves. As you might guess, this would be difficult in a family or classroom where people are bullying or mean. The RAK Foundation shared some activities with The Mini Page that will help kids understand how to be kind to one another.Fact or opinion? When you’re talking with others, it helps to be able to tell whether people are stating facts, which are true, or opinions, which are their beliefs about something. In this example, can you tell who is stating a fact and who is giving his or her opinion?

Toss around some kindness This fun game leaves all the players feeling better about themselves. Sit in a circle with friends, family or classmates. Take turns throwing the ball to other players. Before you throw, say something kind about the player you are throwing to. It may seem sort of awkward at first, but as everyone joins in it will get easier.

you throw, say something kind about yourself or something you are thankful for. Was it easier to say something nice about another person or about yourself? How did you feel when the game ended?

Make a compliment card How does it make you feel when someone admires your hair or notices your talent for sports? People love to get compliments from others. Make a list of your friends,

to each person’s name, write down something you admire about that person. It could be how well he tells jokes, or what a great artist she is. Choose one or more of the people on your list to make a compliment card

card for Valentine’s Day or any other day of the year. Write your compliment on the card, then find pictures from newspapers or magazines to illustrate your message. Include a poem or puzzle if you like.

If you see someone having a hard time with a task or learning to do something, try offering to help instead of laughing or making fun of him or her. Being kind makes you feel good, too.

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The Mini Page thanks Brooke Jones, manager of the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation, for help with this issue.

Next week, The Mini Page is all about Neanderthals.


Supersport: Stephanie WheelerBirthdate: 1-16-81 Hometown: Norlina, N.C. Suddenly, at age 6, Stephanie Wheeler’s world turned upside down. She couldn’t run. She couldn’t walk. A car accident had left her partially paralyzed. But that misfortune didn’t keep her from becoming a star and icon in wheelchair basketball.

Wheeler played on four national collegiate wheelchair championship teams — three at Illinois and one at Alabama,

where she was voted tournament MVP. She also has helped spark the United States to two Paralympic gold medals.

Michael Frogley, her former coach, calls her the “role model we want our athletes to be.”

wheelchair team at the University of Illinois, where she earned a degree in kinesiology. With tremendous determination and dedication, she also has become an inspiration to thousands.

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