You're invited: Mole Music StoryWalk (August 2020)

 Reconnect with our church grounds AND share in a good story!  Mole Music, written and illustrated by David McPhail, is a spiritual story that connects with all ages. It reminds us that sometimes we don't even know the impact of our small actions.  It reminds me of the Rumi quote, "Let the beauty we love, be what we do.  There are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground."

Mole Music has been generously loaned to us through StoryWalk VT and Kellogg-Hubbard Library.  For the rest of August 2020, you'll find laminated pages from the story set-up counter clockwise in the church yard, starting near the benches in the School St. yard.  

We'd love to have a guest book at the end of the walk, but with COVID 19, an online guest book seems best.  Please use the Comments section below to share your thoughts after your visit!  Simply select Comment and then Name/URL.  You can leave the URL section blank.  The comment will be visible soon (I screen comments since it is wide open to anyone on the internet).  

In the comments we'd love to hear your thoughts on any of these questions: 

• What is the most beautiful music you have ever heard?  How did it make you feel?

• What does the author mean when he says Mole “kept at it?”   Have you ever had to “keep at” something? 

• What story unfolds in the pictures that we do not read in the words?  Why do you think the author does that?

• Playing his violin made Mole happy while ALSO bringing joy to others.  What activity makes you happy?  Is there something you love to do that also makes the world a kinder, better or more beautiful place?  (Some people say that is your "calling" in the world.)

Synopsis by Kathleen Pelley:

"After listening to a man playing a violin on the television, Mole is inspired to send away for a violin of his own. At first, he can only make horrid, screeching noises, but he “keeps at it,” and soon he is making beautiful music. Sometimes, he imagines that his music could “reach into people’s hearts and melt away their anger and sadness.” Then he laughs at himself and falls asleep dreaming beautiful, peaceful dreams.

What is not to love about an endearing Mole who “keeps at it?” What a lovely example of tenacity and hope – an opportunity to give readers an “enhanced view of the possibilities of their lives.” As children listen to the words of this story, they see another story unfolding above ground in the illustrations, as David McPhail shows the reader just how Mole’s music IS indeed changing the world, only Mole cannot see these changes from his underground home.

Aha – is that not a familiar experience for us all? How often do we fret about the “value” of our work, or doubt our dreams? We do not always see the fruit of our labor, but this tender tale encourages us all to “keep at it” – that is – keep living and loving and giving of yourself, and we will make the world a better place with our own “music.”

This tale of HOPE is one that you can share with people of ALL ages as a way to mark significant milestones, or to celebrate and acknowledge their work in the world – be they musicians or monks, bakers or bankers, scientists or storytellers, for truly we do all have the same job – making the world a better place!

Souvenirs from the story – a dollop of HOPE!"  ~ Kathleen Pelley, Children's author and storyteller