Spring is just around the corner!

At least that is what I keep telling myself as the snow falls outside my window, yet again. March came in like a lion this year, and I’m hoping it will go out like a lamb.

Whatever the weather, the first day of spring really is JUST around the corner, and it is my favourite storytelling time of year! Root babies, Frau Thaw, Mother Earth, flower fairies and baby animals all make their way into stories of rebirth, new life and sun-shiny days.

If you are new to storytelling, I’ve got the perfect spring story for you to share with your children. The Slavic folktale of how the willow tree got its furry little buds. It is a wonderful story to share as a puppet play, and for the little playgroup I host once a month I even dug out my little cat finger puppets. I’ve included a download of how to make the felted finger puppets below the story if you’d like to give it a go!

The Willow Tree and the Kittens

In the valley of a mountain, there ran a river. And along that river stood a beautiful willow tree, strong and proud. Alongside that willow tree stood a homestead. And on that homestead was a barn. On this particular day, in that very barn, were three sweet, curious kittens; one, two, three.

After a long cold winter, the sun was finally shining warmly on all the land. The kittens could hear the drip-drip-drip of the snow melting away from everywhere it had rested during winter and were so excited about this beautiful day that they came bounding out of the barn ready to play! They ran across the yard and rolled around on the freshly revealed grass and in their frolicking they came across the river, running swiftly over rocks and boulders.

The water bubbled and splashed as it made its way around the rocks and the kittens were so curious about the sight that they each, one by one, hopped off the bank and onto the rocks where the water swept by.

In their excitement, the kittens did not realize that the rocks were quite slippery from the water splashing about, and as soon as they landed on a rock, they slipped right off and into the rushing water. The kittens struggled to swim and began calling for help.

Further down river stood the beautiful willow tree, strong and proud. The willow heard the calls of the kittens and saw them struggling in the water. At just the right time, the willow slowly bent her branches down towards the water and scooped the three kittens up with her branches, placing them gently onto her boughs.

Once the kittens caught their breath they thanked the willow for saving them and frolicked and played on the willow’s branches, leaving little tufts of fur all over the tips.

And every year, when the sun shines warmly and the snow melts away, willow trees grow little tufts of fur on the tips of their branches where those three curious kittens once played.

I hope you have fun with this story! Happy Spring!

Warmly,
Marina