DR. SEUSS AND UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST
CAN LICK 30 TIGERS TODAY AND OTHER STORIES

(NOTE: Please review the Introduction before using this Session Plan. Thank you.)

SETTING THE STAGE
STORY SYNPOSIS: King Looie Katz got another cat to hold his tail up, and that cat got another cat to hold us his tail…on and on until the last cat, who had no cat to hold his tail, quit. (3 minutes)

AFFIRMATION(S): Everyone is important.
We have a say about things important to us. THEME: Think for yourself, do things for yourself.

PREPARATION: Reflect on a situation in which someone did not do their part, and the impact that that had on the entire group.

NEEDED:
"King Looie Katz" from I Can Lick 30 Tigers Today and Other Stories, Random House, 1969

To act out story, rope or yarn for tails, masking tape or safety pins

SESSION PLAN
OPENING: Selected by the group. This can be used each session.

CHECK-IN: Welcome. Each person says his or her name. Allow time for each person to briefly tell something that went well since the group last met, or something that did not go well.

Leave an empty chair or space for someone who is missing from the group that day, or to recognize that others are welcome to be invited to join the group.

STORY
King Looie Katz

EXPLORING
Reflection
Do you know anyone who wants other people to do things for them, rather than doing things for themselves? What kinds of things?
Do you ask people to do things for you that you can do yourself?

Acting the story
Each child has rope or yarn tail. Attach to the back of a shirt with tape or safety pins. Retell the story in briefer format, with each child picking up the tail of the child in front.

Is there a way for every cat to have its tail held up by another cat? (The first cat would need to take the tail of the last cat, making a circle.) If everyone has to hold a tail, does that make anyone better than anyone else?

But if every tail is held, and everyone is in a circle, how can we go anywhere or do anything?
Have a participant drop the tail s/he is holding. Now not everyone is the same; things are no longer equal! How would you suggest that everyone be equal again? (Each person/cat carries his or her own tail!)
Does doing something for yourself make you feel good about yourself? Is there something that you would like to learn to do for yourself? (Tying shoe laces, writing a letter or story, use the computer, origami.) Is there someone to teach you to do that thing?

Suggestion: Have a particular craft that can be taught to the participants.

CLOSING:
Song: To tune of "When the Saints Go Marching In" Now when those cats go marching by
Oh, when those cats go marching by,
They all hold their own tails up,
When those cats go marching by.

(Words by Jackie Smith-Miller)

GROUP REVIEW AND ANNOUNCEMENTS .

What did they like about the session? (theme, activities, someone special being there, etc.)

Announce the story for the next session and who will be the adult facilitator, or if there are special events in the time before the group meets again.

© Rev. Helen Zidowecki, May 2003