{"product_id":"pushing-up-the-sky-isbn-9780803721685","title":"Pushing up the Sky","description":"From acclaimed Native American storyteller \u003cb\u003eJoseph Bruchac\u003c\/b\u003e comes a collection of seven lively plays for children to perform, each one adapted from a different traditional Native tale. Filled with heroes and tricksters, comedy and drama, these entertaining plays are a wonderful way to bring Native cultures to life for young people. Each play has multiple parts that can be adjusted to suit the size of a particular group and includes simple, informative suggestions for props, scenery, and costumes that children can help to create. Introductory notes and beautiful, detailed illustrations add to young readers' understanding of the seven Native nations whose traditions have inspired the plays.Joseph Bruchac is a highly acclaimed children's book author, poet, novelist and storyteller, as well as a scholar of Native American culture. Coauthor with Michael Caduto of the bestselling Keepers of the Earth series, Bruchac's poems, articles and stories have appeared in hundreds of publications, from Akwesasne Notes and American Poetry Review to National Geographic and Parabola. He has authored many books for adults and children including \u003cu\u003eCode Talker: A Novel About the Navajo Marines of World War Two\u003c\/u\u003e, \u003cu\u003eSkeleton Man\u003c\/u\u003e, and \u003cu\u003eThe Heart of a Chief\u003c\/u\u003e. For more information about Joseph, please visit his website www.josephbruchac.com.\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePossum’s Tail\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCherokee\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Cherokee people originally lived in the area now known as the states of Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina. Because they adapted so quickly to the European way of life, they became known as one of the “civilized tribes.” However, long before the coming of Europeans they had a sophisticated form of government and lived in large, well-organized villages. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn the early 1800s many Cherokee people were forced to leave their homes and move to Indian Territory by traveling the infamous Trail of Tears. Today Cherokee people live all over the United States, but their two contemporary tribal governments are in Oklahoma and North Carolina. Wily, wise Rabbit is still their favorite trickster character.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCharacters\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003enarrator \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ebear\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003erabbit\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eturtle\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eraccoon\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003epossum\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eotter\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ecricket\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eNote: If more children wish to take part in the play, other animals, such as Deer, Owl, Chipmunk, Squirrel, Beaver, or Fox, can be represented as non-speaking parts. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eProps\/Scenery\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe forest\u003c\/b\u003e can be suggested by a painted backdrop or potted plants.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eA bandage\u003c\/b\u003e is needed for Possum’s tail.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eA medicine bottle \u003c\/b\u003eor\u003cb\u003e bowl\u003c\/b\u003e is also needed for Possum’s tail.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe oak tree\u003c\/b\u003e for Scene III can be painted on a backdrop.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCostumes\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eNarrator\u003c\/b\u003e wears a turban made of patterned cloth.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAnimal roles\u003c\/b\u003e can be represented by masks made from paper plates decorated with markers, yarn, cotton balls, beads, etc. The mask can be held by hand in front of the wearer’s face or mounted on a handle like a fan.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePossum’s furry tail\u003c\/b\u003e can be made of dark socks stuffed with cotton and stitched together.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePossum’s rattail\u003c\/b\u003e for Scene III can be a long piece of rope. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eScene I:\u003c\/b\u003e The Forest\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eA group of animals stands together.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003enarrator:\u003c\/b\u003e Long ago Possum had the most beautiful tail of all the animals. Everyone knew that was true. And if anyone didn’t know, then Possum would tell him so.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ebear:\u003c\/b\u003e Tomorrow we will have a big meeting. Rabbit, you be the messenger. Go tell all the animals. We will meet at the big oak tree when Grandmother Sun rises up into the sky.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003erabbit:\u003c\/b\u003e What will the meeting be about?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ebear:\u003c\/b\u003e We will decide that tomorrow.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eturtle:\u003c\/b\u003e Oh no, here comes Possum!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eraccoon:\u003c\/b\u003e He is going to brag about his tail again. I can tell.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003ePossum enters and walks over to the other animals, holding his long tail in front of him.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003epossum:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci\u003eSiyo!\u003c\/i\u003e (see-yo) Hello! This day is beautiful. And so is my tail. Look at my beautiful tail.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eother animals:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci\u003eSiyo,\u003c\/i\u003e Possum.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003epossum:\u003c\/b\u003e Did you say there would be a meeting tomorrow?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ebear:\u003c\/b\u003e Yes.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003epossum:\u003c\/b\u003e Then I should speak at the meeting.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eturtle:\u003c\/b\u003e Why?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eotter:\u003c\/b\u003e Turtle, don’t ask him! He’ll just talk about his—\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003epossum:\u003c\/b\u003e Because of my beautiful tail. It is the most beautiful of all. It is not short like Bear’s tail. It is long and silky. It is not stiff like Raccoon’s tail. It is soft and lovely. It is not stubby like Rabbit’s tail. It is fluffy and big. It is not ugly like Turtle’s tail. It is pretty and nice.\u003ci\u003e(Possum can continue to improvise while Bear and Rabbit speak, saying “Isn’t it beautiful?” etc.)\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eAs Possum goes on talking, the other animals yawn and roll their eyes. One by one they fall to the ground and pretend to sleep. During this activity Rabbit taps Bear on the shoulder, and Rabbit and Bear step toward the audience. Possum does not notice, but keeps talking.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003erabbit:\u003c\/b\u003e I have an idea about Possum.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ebear:\u003c\/b\u003e We should stuff moss into our ears so we cannot hear him?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003erabbit:\u003c\/b\u003e No, I have a better idea than that. Let me whisper it to you. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eRabbit whispers into Bear’s ear. Bear smiles and nods.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ebear:\u003c\/b\u003e That is a good idea.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eBear and Rabbit turn back toward Possum, who is still talking. The other animals are still pretending to sleep, but Possum doesn’t notice.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003erabbit:\u003c\/b\u003e Possum, you\u003ci\u003edo\u003c\/i\u003e have a beautiful tail.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003epossum:\u003c\/b\u003e Yes. That is true. Shall I tell you about it?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ebear: \u003c\/b\u003eNo! I mean, not now.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003erabbit:\u003c\/b\u003e We have decided that you should be the first speaker at the big meeting tomorrow.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003epossum:\u003c\/b\u003e Of course. That is true. The one with the most beautiful tail should always speak first.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003erabbit:\u003c\/b\u003e Possum, your tail should look its best for the meeting.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003epossum:\u003c\/b\u003e Of course. That is true. My tail should look its best.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003erabbit:\u003c\/b\u003e I will take you to Cricket. He will put some special medicine on your tail. Then your tail will be ready for the meeting.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003epossum: \u003c\/b\u003eOf course. That is true. Let us go to Cricket. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003ePossum and Rabbit go offstage together. The other animals open their eyes and sit up.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eraccoon:\u003c\/b\u003e Oh, no!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eotter: \u003c\/b\u003eIf Possum’s tail is made more beautiful, he’ll never stop talking.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eturtle:\u003c\/b\u003e Otter is right. We’ll all have to move away to escape his bragging.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ebear:\u003c\/b\u003e Don’t worry. Rabbit has a plan. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eScene II:\u003c\/b\u003e Another Part of the Forest\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eCricket crouches on the ground.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003erabbit:\u003c\/b\u003e Cricket, I want you to put some of your\u003ci\u003especial\u003c\/i\u003e medicine on Possum’s tail.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003epossum:\u003c\/b\u003e Yes. That is true. I want my tail to look even more beautiful.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ecricket:\u003c\/b\u003e Rabbit, do you mean my\u003ci\u003especial\u003c\/i\u003e medicine?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003erabbit:\u003c\/b\u003e Yes, I mean your\u003ci\u003especial\u003c\/i\u003e medicine.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003epossum:\u003c\/b\u003e Hurry up. I want you to fix my tail.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ecricket:\u003c\/b\u003e I will fix it.\u003ci\u003e(Cricket pretends to apply medicine to Possum’s tail from either a bottle or a bowl.)\u003c\/i\u003e This medicine will make your tail look as it has never looked before. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003epossum:\u003c\/b\u003e Will everyone notice it?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ecricket:\u003c\/b\u003e Oh yes, everyone will notice it.\u003ci\u003e(Cricket wraps a bandage around Possum’s tail.)\u003c\/i\u003e Now you must keep this old snakeskin wrapped around your tail all night. Do not take it off until you are at the meeting.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eScene III:\u003c\/b\u003e The Forest, Near the Big Oak Tree\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eAll the animals are gathered in a semicircle. Possum’s tail is still wrapped in the snakeskin.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ebear:\u003c\/b\u003e Possum will open our meeting.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003erabbit:\u003c\/b\u003e Everyone, pay attention.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003epossum:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci\u003eSiyo,\u003c\/i\u003e everyone. I have been asked to speak today because of my tail. It is the most beautiful of all. Here, let me show you how beautiful it is. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003ePossum unwraps his tail. It now looks like a big rat’s tail, but Possum does not notice.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eraccoon:\u003c\/b\u003e Look at Possum’s tail!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003epossum:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci\u003e(still showing off the tail without looking at it\u003c\/i\u003e) Yes. Look at my tail. Look at how beautiful it is. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eturtle:\u003c\/b\u003e It has no hair at all!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eotter:\u003c\/b\u003e It is really ugly.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eraccoon:\u003c\/b\u003e It is funny looking.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe animals begin to laugh. Possum looks at his tail and sees that it has no hair.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003epossum:\u003c\/b\u003e My tail! Cricket has ruined it!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003ePossum sits down on the ground, closes his eyes, and then rolls onto his back with his feet up in the air. He stays there until all the other animals have gone. Then he gets up and runs away.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003enarrator:\u003c\/b\u003e So it is that Possum now has the ugliest tail of all the animals. Ever since that time, whenever Possum meets another animal, he closes his eyes, rolls over on his back, and pretends to be dead until the other animal goes away. And Possum no longer brags about his tail!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Dial Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46300130869477,"sku":"NP9780803721685","price":21.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9780803721685.jpg?v=1767735238","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/products\/pushing-up-the-sky-isbn-9780803721685","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}