VALUES: Helping one another
STORY: Many living things need each other to survive. If you have ever seen an aspen tree, you may have noticed that it does not grow alone. Aspens grow in clusters or groups. This is due to the fact that this tree sends up new shoots from its roots. In fact, a group of aspens may all be connected beneath the ground to the same roots.
Giant California redwood trees may grow to 100 metres in height and it would be safe to think that they would have very strong, deep roots to anchor them into the ground to protect them against strong winds. But we are told that their roots are, in fact, quite shallow. In order to capture as much surface water as possible they spread in all directions, intertwining with the roots of other redwood trees. Locked together in this way, all the trees support each other during high winds and storms.
Like the aspen, the redwoods never stand alone. They need each other to survive. People, too, are connected by a system of roots. These roots are in the form of family, friends, school and community groups. People are not meant to be isolated from one another. When life gets tough, we need the support of others to help us get through the difficult times. Therefore, treat others with respect, kindness and friendliness.
TEACHING POINT:
Together we can become stronger as a society. We can help each other through life’s ups and downs if we try to be friendly and co-operative with all the people we come into contact with, at school and at home.
School Assembly Stories