THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, January 31, 1995 TAG: 9501310043
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E4 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: MOM, I'M BORED
LENGTH: Medium: 72 lines
WE LISTENED to stories the other afternoon, marvelous tales of talkative turtles, berry picking and monsters in the woods, but we really learned how to listen, be a friend and hold strong in the face of greed.
The setting was the Chrysler Museum's Family Fun Program, a free, monthly program that offers storytelling, creative workshops and films in the museum's small theater.
We listened to Dovie Thomason, an American Indian whose grandmother never yelled, never scolded and never said, ``Never or No.''
``Instead, my grandmother told stories,'' Thomason remembered. ``She would say, `` `Sit down. I have a story you need to hear. Sit down. Listen.' ''
And we listened. Allio and her friend, Katherine, both 5, listened sceptically at first as Thomason's soft words drew an image in their minds of birds in flight. But when her voice leapt a few octaves into the whinny squeak from a vain little turtle, they giggled in surprise.
The story was great, about a proud turtle who wants to fly south with the birds but won't stop talking long enough to figure out how. High in the air, his mouth clamped to a stick the birds are holding, the turtle flies. But he has too many questions and not enough trust. He forgets to keep his mouth shut, opens it to yell at the birds for ignoring him, and plummets to the Earth.
Thomason first heard the story from her grandmother when she was 7. Her grandmother told it dozens of time before little Thomason realized she was the turtle.
The grown Thomason holds 400 oral stories in her head from hundreds of tribes. We learned that echoes have good manners, they never go first; that strawberries are shaped like a heart so you will only eat them when your heart is a friend with others; and that Indian drums were never tom-toms and never beat fast as in the movies.
We joined in song, echoing Thomason's lead, and sang of a lonely child who needed a friend, then found one when she had the strength to say, ``I'm sorry.''
Storytelling is a warm, very alive way of reaching parents and children together. And it's usually part of the Chrysler's family program each month.
On Sunday, Feb. 12, the museum offers an afternoon of events. From 1:30 to 2:15 p.m., ``Gancy's Stories of Old,'' a drama in African and African-American tradition told by storyteller Sandra Johnson, will be held in the theater.
At 3 p.m., a performance of African rhythm, dance and stories will be offered by the group, Malawi. At 4 p.m., schoolteacher Cynthia Potter will lead a workshop on African shields and will help families to make their own.
The museum also offers a child's self-guided tour, including one for Black History month, available at the information desk. The tours challenge the children to search the art for answers on a fun, fill-in-the-blanks style treasure hunt.
On Sunday, Feb. 19, at 2 p.m., a film and poetry writing workshop is offered for families with children over age 10. ``The Shakers: Hands to Work, Hearts to God'' is by Ken Burns, who directed ``The Civil War'' on PBS last year. The film is in conjunction with an exhibition on Shaker furniture and art (Feb. 19 to April 16).
On Sunday, March 5, two animated films show families that it's fun and interesting to explore a museum. ``This is Your Museum Speaking'' and ``Norman the Doorman'' each run about 15 minutes. In one, Fang the dog meets art that comes alive. In the other, Norman the mouse becomes an artist. Both films are offered at 2 and 4 p.m. in the theater.
On Sunday, March 19, at 2 p.m., music and dances from both Africa and Brazil are featured.
The museum is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m. It's closed Mondays. Admission is free, with a suggested donation of $3 for adults and $2 for children over 12. The Chrysler is located at 245 Olney Road, Norfolk. For more information, call 664-6200. by CNB