Try, Try again

This is an idea for discussion work with a small group.

Aim For young people to explore perseverance and the idea of trying to achieve something. You will need

• Copies of the discussion questions • Flipchart and markers

How to do it Ask the young people if they have heard the saying “if at first you don’t succeed try, try, try again” explain that in the UK it is attributed to Robert the Bruce who was crowned King of Scotland in 1306. However, there are similar myths and legends all over the work; the hero is different but the story and message are the same. Outline this (very) short version of the story Robert and the Bruce. In the winter of 1313 after suffering defeat in battle, Robert the Bruce hid for three months in a cave to avoid capture by the English King. In total despair he sat alone in the cave wondering what would happen to his country. As a distraction to loneliness and boredom he watched, fascinated, as a spider tried to build a web. He followed as the spider would spin, fall, spin, fall, spin, fall and still get up and start all over again until it was done. Inspired by this he left the cave, raised an army and went on to defeat the English in the battle of Bannockburn in 1314, re-establishing his right to the throne. It is from here that the saying comes from. Divide the young people into small discussion groups and hand out the following; Discussion points

1) Is this saying relevant today? 2) Is it important to keep trying to do something, even if you constantly fail? 3) Is there a point when it becomes a waste of time? 4) Is there any belief or value that you consider too important to ever give up on?

Bring the whole group back together and encourage point from each group, recording it onto the flipchart.