A Sensory Story
The Farmer and the Kelpie was adapted from a Scottish folk tale to be a sensory story. Below is a version of the story with some suggested props / sensory elements. You aren’t expected to have all of the props or use every suggestion, just what works best for you and your group. The props suggested are not toys and should only be used under supervision and with your own judgement about what is appropriate for your group.
You can download text only versions of the story and suggested props list / alternatives from www.magictorchcomics.co.uk/access
There once was a farmer, who worked hard on his fields, pulling the plough and sowing the seeds to grow
Present a beanbag full of seeds to feel or have a packet of real seeds which rattle in the packet. Alternatively, share a shallow tray of soil and seeds which you can encourage your audience to touch or ‘plant’ as you sow the seeds.
A river ran beside his farm, and one day, as he was working, he saw something sparkle and splash in the water.
Present a container of water which you can gently splash, or have audience touch and splash like the Kelpie does.
It was a magical water horse! A kelpie!
“If I can catch the Kelpie,” thought the farmer, “it can pull the plough in my field.”
Show a stretch or pull toy, which either you pull to show how hard the Farmer is working, or your audience helps pull to feel the resistance of the hard work in the field.
So the farmer grabbed the Kelpie, it was wet and sticky, with a mane as slimy as seaweed
A shallow plate of washed, damp seaweed is one natural option, but the sensation of damp paper towels could work too – brush fingers across this slimy material.
The kelpie didn’t want to work in a field, so it ran away – but the farmer was stuck and couldn’t let go!
Blow air with a fan as the wind blows against the farmers face as the Kelpie gallops away. That same motion can be used in each of the next 3 sections too if you like.
The Kelpie galloped through the chicken coop and scared the hens
Two plastic cups or coconut shells can create the clip clop of the galloping Kelpie, or even two hands tapped on a table. Share some feathers for the scattering chickens, thrown up in the air or brushing against hands / face.
The kelpie ran up the hills and surprised the sheep
More clip clops, and this time share some wool to touch as the Kelpie races past the sheep.
The kelpie jumped over the duckpond and scared the ducks
More clip clops, different feathers, or perhaps some small splashes as the ducks scatter.
The farmer finally managed to let go of the sticky kelpie… Move hands across and away from the seaweed / towels.
…and the kelpie dived back into the river with a big SPLASH
Show a large shiny pebble, drop this into the water for a bigger splash – or if everyone is happy to get a little wet, splash your hands in.
The farmer would sometimes still see the kelpie sparkling at the river, but he never tried to catch it again.
Show and share the wet shiny pebble as the Kelpie sparkles in the water.
Please feel free to share any ideas you might use on your telling of the story and we can add them to our downloadable resourses - info@magictorchcomics.co.uk
