Cucumber In My Classroom:

Although a teacher and her students may obviously differ in age, sex or race, storytelling can point out their similarities.   When I use the story of Cucumber in my classroom, I am providing a way for myself, and my listeners, to reflect on our similar experiences and shared meanings.  Everyone has a favorite or least favorite food and almost everyone has a pet - their own or someone else’s - that has been an integral part of their lives.   When we share of ourselves in our classrooms, we set the stage for collaboration.   It is inferred: I will learn from you, as you learn from me.  I will tell, you will listen.  You will tell, I will listen.  The content or plot of the story Cucumber is developmentally appropriate for the elementary school age children I work with most often. Cats and dogs are a favorite topic in conversation and in the children’s artwork.   The starting point for the story was simply the humor in a silly pet name.   The individual food preferences expressed in the story Cucumber, are also a popular subject.  I have had great success using this story in a variety of settings.   Telling my own stories, and encouraging my students to do the same, enriches our learning environment.

The first time I told the story of Cucumber was not a professional occasion.  Cucumber is one of a dozen or so stories that are family favorites, told around the dinner table or at the family’s beach vacation.  Mine is a family of storytellers.

Cucumber was a familiar character in my family, but far from the favorite.  She was a disagreeable cat who would not stand for petting or affection of any kind.  She preferred to slink off to her solitary hiding place underneath the neighbors car, only to emerge with her white fur thick and matted with car grease.  But still, she was honored as one of my first pets, and the first one I got to name all by myself.

It was at my parent’s bookstore that I told Cucumber for the first time.  We had planned a storytelling event called “Cat Tales,” to tie in with the black cat featured in the store logo.   I collected several cat stories from different cultures and I decided to tell Cucumber as well.  I introduced the story by asking my listeners if they had a favorite food.  I asked if any of them were picky eaters.  The response was overwhelming; every one of the children had something to say.  This set up that bond of shared experience that makes a story successful.  At the last minute, as I told the story, I decided not to reveal that the main character was actually me.  At the end of the story when a listener asked if the story was true:

“Yes, I responded.

“But how do you know?” the child questioned. 

“Because the little girl who was such a picky eater was – ME!” 

The squeals of delight from my listeners gave me the courage to work on the story, telling it again and again and making changes and adaptations as I went along. 

It was not until I wrote it down several years later that the story seemed to truly gel.  When I was writing up the lesson plans for an art and storytelling residency I was to complete, I typed the story for the first time.  It came out so easily, naturally.  It seemed to have a strong and comfortable story structure because all the reworking and rewriting had been taking place in my brain for years.  Not to mention, the influence and input of so many listeners over the years had honed the tale. 

I have been told that it is a favorite of my nieces and other darling children belonging to friends of mine.  Parents have reported that they are asked to play it again and again and again...  I am very proud of this one.

Me and Cucumber

Cucumber is an original story I wrote and recorded.  The CD is available for $15.00 and includes a booklet with my original illustrations.  Send me an email me to order a copy!