“ We’re going to start today with a story.” “ Mary was coming home from school one day
“ When she found some money on the path near her home.”
“ She was very excited as she thought about all of the things she could buy with the money so she put it in her pocket.”
She felt a little weird when she saw her mum.
“ She hurried to her room and hid the money in her desk where nobody could find it.”
“ She decided to spend £2 the next day on some soda and sweets at a local shop.”
“ While she ate she looked through a toy catalogue to help her decide how she would spend the rest of HER money.”
“ When Mary got home Mr. Murray who lived next door happened to lean over the fence to tell Mary’s mum that his wife had lost £100 yesterday. Mr. Murray explained that the money was to be used to buy tickets for their holiday and now they were no longer able to go.”
Mary was feeling very uncomfortable but still said nothing too her mum.
(Children typically say that it was wrong and they are able to identify family members from both families as being affected.)
Such as… Mr. and Mrs. Murray – who lost the money. Their daughter Mary’s mum and dad. Mary’s brother and grandma
The next day Mary’s mum went into Mary’s room and asked Mary if she could borrow a pencil. Mary opened her desk and her mum noticed the money.
She looked at Mary who then admitted that she had found the money but had spent £2.
How do you think Mary is feeling now? (Scared, sad) How is her mum feeling about what Mary did? (angry) What should happen to Mary now that her mum found out about her spending the money? (grounded, punished)
Mary’s mum told her to go to her room
What does Mary’s mum want her to do while she is in her room? (think about what she did) What do you think Mary will actually do while she is in her room? (play)
How does this help Mary understand who she has hurt? (It doesn’t) What does Mary need to do to make things right? (say sorry and give back the money
Mary’s parents ask Mary what she should do to make things right. Mary says that she needs to say sorry and give the money back to Mr. Murray. Her dad says he will arrange a meeting so she can do that.
Mary’s dad explains what happened to Mr. Murray and arranges a meeting.
Get several volunteers to sit in a semi circle holding up signs. Then ask the group the questions on the next slide:
Who should talk first? (Mary because she did it) What questions should be asked? What would you expect to happen in this meeting? If someone suggests asking “why” ask the Mary character if she has a good answer. Talk about the dangers of asking “why”. Ask each character what they would share at the meeting.
