I appreciated Mark’s ability as a storyteller and his use of gestures to keep the audience captivated. I think he is very funny. Since we are an ESL school, the teachers and students appreciated the multicultural aspect of the program.
Mark was absolutely, easy to work with. He has great behavior management skills, and great interaction with the students. Very very funny.
– Marilyn Feeny, Principal, Park School, Warwick, RI
This was penned by Rudyard Kipling in 1889. Tell me what’s changed…
by Rudyard Kipling
Oh, East is East, and West is West, and never the twain shall meet,
Till Earth and Sky stand presently at God’s great Judgment Seat;
But there is neither East nor West, Border, nor Breed, nor Birth,
When two strong men stand face to face, tho’ they come from the ends of the earth!
Kamal is out with twenty men to raise the Border-side,
And he has lifted the Colonel’s mare that is the Colonel’s pride:
He has lifted her out of the stable-door between the dawn and the day,
And turned the calkins upon her feet, and ridden her far away.
Then up and spoke the Colonel’s son that led a troop of the Guides:
“Is there never a man of all my men can say where Kamal hides?”
Then up and spoke Mahommed Khan, the son of the Ressaldar:
“If ye know the track of the morning-mist, ye know where his pickets are.
“At dusk he harries the Abazai - at dawn he is into Bonair,
“But he must go by Fort Bukloh to his own place to fare,
“So if ye gallop to Fort Bukloh as fast as a bird can fly,
“By the favour of God ye may cut him off ere he win to the Tongue of Jagai.
“But if he be past the Tongue of Jagai, right swiftly turn ye then,
“For the length and the breadth of that grisly plain is sown with Kamal’s men.
“There is rock to the left, and rock to the right, and low lean thorn between,
“And ye may hear a breech-bolt snick where never a man is seen.”
The Colonel’s son has taken a horse, and a raw rough dun was he,
With the mouth of a bell and the heart of Hell
and the head of the gallows-tree.
The Colonel’s son to the Fort has won, they bid him stay to eat -
Who rides at the tail of a Border thief, he sits not long at his meat.
He’s up and away from Fort Bukloh as fast as he can fly,
Till he was aware of his father’s mare in the gut of the Tongue of Jagai,
Till he was aware of his father’s mare with Kamal upon her back,
And when he could spy the white of her eye, he made the pistol crack.
He has fired once, he has fired twice, but the whistling ball went wide.
“Ye shoot like a soldier,” Kamal said. “Show now if ye can ride.”
It’s up and over the Tongue of Jagai, as blown dustdevils go,
The dun he fled like a stag of ten, but the mare like a barren doe.
The dun he leaned against the bit and slugged his head above,
But the red mare played with the snaffle-bars, as a maiden plays with a glove.
There was rock to the left and rock to the right, and low lean thorn between,
And thrice he heard a breech-bolt snick tho’ never a man was seen.
They have ridden the low moon out of the sky, their hoofs drum up the dawn,
The dun he went like a wounded bull, but the mare like a new-roused fawn.
The dun he fell at a water-course - in a woful heap fell he,
And Kamal has turned the red mare back, and pulled the rider free.
He has knocked the pistol out of his hand - small room was there to strive,
“‘Twas only by favour of mine,” quoth he, “ye rode so long alive:
“There was not a rock for twenty mile, there was not a clump of tree,
“But covered a man of my own men with his rifle cocked on his knee.
“If I had raised my bridle-hand, as I have held it low,
“The little jackals that flee so fast were feasting all in a row:
“If I had bowed my head on my breast, as I have held it high,
“The kite that whistles above us now were gorged till she could not fly.”
Lightly answered the Colonel’s son: “Do good to bird and beast,
“But count who come for the broken meats before thou makest a feast.
“If there should follow a thousand swords to carry my bones away,
“Belike the price of a jackal’s meal were more than a thief could pay.
“They will feed their horse on the standing crop, their men on the garnered grain,
“The thatch of the byres will serve their fires when all the cattle are slain.
“But if thou thinkest the price be fair, - thy brethren wait to sup,
“The hound is kin to the jackal-spawn, - howl, dog, and call them up!
“And if thou thinkest the price be high, in steer and gear and stack,
“Give me my father’s mare again, and I’ll fight my own way back!”
Kamal has gripped him by the hand and set him upon his feet.
“No talk shall be of dogs,” said he, “when wolf and gray wolf meet.
“May I eat dirt if thou hast hurt of me in deed or breath;
“What dam of lances brought thee forth to jest at the dawn with Death?”
Lightly answered the Colonel’s son: “I hold by the blood of my clan:
“Take up the mare for my father’s gift - by God, she has carried a man!”
The red mare ran to the Colonel’s son, and nuzzled against his breast;
“We be two strong men,” said Kamal then, “but she loveth the younger best.
“So she shall go with a lifter’s dower, my turquoise-studded rein,
“My broidered saddle and saddle-cloth, and silver stirrups twain.”
The Colonel’s son a pistol drew and held it muzzle-end,
“Ye have taken the one from a foe,” said he; “will ye take the mate from a friend?”
“A gift for a gift,” said Kamal straight; “a limb for the risk of a limb.
“Thy father has sent his son to me, I’ll send my son to him!”
With that he whistled his only son, that dropped from a mountain-crest -
He trod the ling like a buck in spring, and he looked like a lance in rest.
“Now here is thy master,” Kamal said, “who leads a troop of the Guides,
“And thou must ride at his left side as shield on shoulder rides.
“Till Death or I cut loose the tie, at camp and board and bed,
“Thy life is his - thy fate it is to guard him with thy head.
“So, thou must eat the White Queen’s meat, and all her foes are thine,
“And thou must harry thy father’s hold for the peace of the Border-line,
“And thou must make a trooper tough and hack thy way to power -
“Belike they will raise thee to Ressaldar when I am hanged in Peshawur.”
They have looked each other between the eyes, and there they found no fault,
They have taken the Oath of the Brother-in-Blood on leavened bread and salt:
They have taken the Oath of the Brother-in-Blood on fire and fresh-cut sod,
On the hilt and the haft of the Khyber knife, and the Wondrous Names of God.
The Colonel’s son he rides the mare and Kamal’s boy the dun,
And two have come back to Fort Bukloh where there went forth but one.
And when they drew to the Quarter-Guard, full twenty swords flew clear-
There was not a man but carried his feud with the blood of the mountaineer.
“Ha’ done! ha’ done!” said the Colonel’s son. “Put up the steel at your sides!
“Last night ye had struck at a Border thief - to-night ’tis a man of the Guides!”
Oh, East is East, and West is West, and never the twain shall meet,
Till Earth and Sky stand presently at God’s great Judgment Seat;
But there is neither East nor West, Border, nor Breed, nor Birth,
When two strong men stand face to face, tho’ they come from the ends of the earth
Hello All,
As part of my 4th grade storytelling curriculum, I invite a
professional storyteller to perform for the Lower School. This year it
was Mark Binder from Providence and he was wonderful! His performance
was lively, engaging, fun and quite appropriate for our grades 1-5;
there was something there for everyone (including the teachers!). He
also provided a storytelling workshop for our 4th graders which helped
them greatly with learning the art of telling a story. It was a
pleasure to work with both Mark and his assistant Beth.
Mark is also an author and will do author presentations as well as
writing workshops. After having spent a day with him, hearing his
stories and seeing how he interracts with students, I would happily
assume that he also does a fantastic job with his author
presentations, as well.
Sometimes it’s hard to find excellent author presentations so I am
making this easy for you by recommending Mark. Please check out his
web site; there’s a lot of fun things there. You can even hear his
episode of This I Believe on NPR.
http://www.markbinder.com/
I would be happy to answer any questions you may have about Mark’s
visit or contact him directly at info@markbinder.com
Cheers,
Laura Beals D’Elia
Fay School
It has been a wild roller coaster of a year… and it’s only May (for a few more days)!
First of all, my son Max was Bar Mitzvahed a few weeks ago. He was so awesome.
It was amazing to stand beside my son and watch the exact moment he became an adult. Really.
The compliments I got about his poise and bearing make a dad kvell.
Meanwhile, the writing of “The Council of Wise Women” has drawn to a close. It’s done and clocks in at about 85,000 words. (Whoo hoo!)
(You can still subscribe to the serialized version at http://www.lightpublications.com/wise/ There are a few issues left to come.)
I’m also working in the recording studio on a new (possibly 2 CD set) called “Adventures with Giants & Slugs).
More good news! I’m going on tour and would love your presence at events, as well your help in booking other events at your school, library, church, synagogue, theater or other social institution…
I’m offering a $100 discount to any school referred to me by someone on this mailing list! If you need a brochure, you can download it off my website, or drop me an email and I’ll mail you the slick glossy one. Take it to your PTO/Social Committee/Enrichment group/nightclub….
“Feedback from my faculty was extremely positive; they thought he was the best storyteller we’ve had visit to date. Feedback from the students was just as positive; they enjoyed his stories and you can still hear in the hallways, “Mama, mama, mama, MAMA!” Each time I refer to Mark’s performance or workshop when talking to the fourth graders, you can see that little light go on; they are making the connection between what I’m trying to teach them and remembering Mark doing it.”
– Laura D’Elia, Fay School
The glass bottles
Round in a line
Amber and green and clear
Poison
Salvation
Hope and lust
Alcoholic fears
And pleasure
Numbing the monkey
Inspiring the fool
Have another?
My Mom called me a week or two ago and said, “So, now that all the gloomy predictions you’ve made over the past few years have come true, do you have anything positive to say.”
Ummm… Actually, yes.
1) The decline of the gas and oil economy will mean that people will walk more.
2) Because people won’t have as much disposable income, they won’t buy as much plastic crap (also made out of oil) from China. This, of course will cause problems in China, but let’s face it, do we really want to have toys made by kids for kids?
3) The necessity for working together as a community will become more and more dire. Selfishness will begin to be a shunned quality.
4) Because of our borders, we will remain relatively safe and free from terrorism.
5) Ending the war on terror is simple — declare it over and that everybody lost. Turn terrorists back into criminals. Hunt them down and prosecute them. Stop giving them political power.
6) Now that Obama is allowing people to talk about birth control, perhaps the global over-population will decline.
7) Although it seems as if people are less connected, the truth is that with all the technology, they really are connecting quicker and sooner — unfortunately, they still have little to say and often are misinterpreted.
8) What is the purpose of education? Teaching people how to learn. Once they’ve got those tools, then the questions are — what do they want to learn, what do they need to learn. The real challenge is to decouple education from schooling. However too many people, myself included, are on the education gravy train. This is likely to shift and change.
9) The ability of Congress to micromanage government should be severely curtailed. The economic bailout was such a disaster so quickly — why can’t they just turn it off once they’ve turned it on, and then start again.
10) Does restoring America to prominence in the world mean doing truth-and-reconciliation on our former leaders? I hope so.
11) Music is everywhere. Art is everywhere. What we need now is more food and shelter.
…. More to come.
I went to bed terrified that the projected victory, with only 5 or 20% of the vote count would evaporate.
This morning, after McCain conceeded, after I read the newspaper. After…
All I can say is.
Yaaay!
May we now help our newcoming President, and contribute to the reconstruction of America.
Today is the day that the world changes. Today the coin is tossed as millions of Americans go to the polls and hope that their vote will matter.
We are afraid. We are afraid that “they” are going to steal the election. Whether you are a red or a blue, democrat or republican, liberal or conservative, there is a fear that fraud will rule the day.
At the same time, there is hope and possibility and a teaser that perhaps the American ship of state can right its course.
I’ve been up since four in the morning. I’m going to the polls soon to do my job as one of the “Protectors of Democracy.” I won’t be done until at least 10pm. A long day.
And yet I can think of no place I would rather be. I will not be one of those watching the TV or listening to CNN. I will be helping people change the path.
Here in Rhode Island, we know with a fair amount of certainty what the major outcome will be. We have a paper ballot that leaves a clear trail. Fraud will be difficult and unlikely.
Today we vote. Tomorrow the world will spin around. Tomorrow we will know are we heading one way or another. Will we stay the course, or will we change?
This morning, I can only hope. And fix myself some breakfast.
In This BarkMinder Newsletter
- From Mark
- Quick Plug
- Story
- Tour Dates
—————————-
From Mark
—————————-
One week to go. In a little over seven days, the world as we know it will change. If one candidate wins, it will go one way. If another candidate wins, it will go a different way.
For now, we hold our breath. We grumble and wait. And wonder. And hope.
Regardless of who you choose, please vote. Even if you walk in and cast a blank ballot, vote. If you don’t want to vote, vote anyway. If you object to voting, then do something to change the system.
Note to Rhode Islanders: If you are not registered to vote, you may go to your city hall (or in Providence to the “Dunkin Donuts Center”) to same-day register and cast a vote for President only. (No voting on referendums or other candidates.)
As you know, I’m rarely moralistic in my stories. This one, however, seems timely. It is from the original Bed Time Story Collection. If the recent banking collapse had happened a while ago, it probably would have been included in the new edition. As it is, this is a BarkMinder newsletter exclusive.
Have an excellent week, and we’ll be in touch after it’s over…
- Mark
—————————-
Quick Plug Before the Story
—————————-
I have four new books out this year:
– It Ate My Sister (ages 8-13 and up)
– The Bed Time Story Book (ages 4-7 and parents)
– The Brothers Schlemiel (a novel)
– A Hanukkah Present (all ages and families)
One or all of them are bound to make you (or someone you know) happy.
Bonus: If you buy all four, I’ll throw in a present!
Subscriber Specials are at http://www.markbinder.com/specials/
Also, if you’d like to invite me to come to speak, teach or perform at your school, social or religious organization or favorite theater, please get in touch with my alter ego, Beth Hellman via email: beth@markbinder.com
—————————-
The Story
—————————-
“The Boy and the Gold Pieces”
by Mark Binder
From “The Everything Bedtime Story Book”
Copyright 2008, all rights reserved.
[Based loosely on Aesop's "The Boy and the Chestnuts."]
Many years ago in a land far away from here lived a boy who was very very poor. His father had no job, and his mother had no job. Sometimes, when the father got work, they would eat beans. Sometimes when the mother got work, they would eat bread, but it was only rarely that the mother and father found work at the same time. And then, the boy was left in charge of his five brothers and sisters.
One afternoon, the boy decided that he would find a job and make enough money for his entire family to live for many many years.
He had heard that in the big city there were many opportunities for people to make money, so he traveled there. It was a long and difficult trip. He had to walk the whole way, and by the time he arrived he was very hungry. But he did not have any money. His clothes were old and tattered, and he was very very dirty.
Everyone in the city walked past him as if he did not exist. They ignored him or, if they did see him, quickly turned away.
At last, a young girl, not much older than the boy, came up and gave him a copper.
“No,” the boy said. “I will not take this.”
“Why not?” asked the girl.
“I am not a beggar,” the boy said. “I have come to the city to make my fortune. My family is very hungry, and I would like to find work to support them.”
The girl thought this was wonderful, and she clapped her hands together. “I know just the right person you should meet,” she said. “Come with me.”
She led him through the streets of the crowded city until they came to a large building. It had stone columns and a pair of heavy brass doors.
“Surely you are not going to arrest me,” the boy cried. He thought the building was a jail.
“No no,” laughed the girl. “This is the bank where my father works. He will certainly help you get a job.”
She led him inside, and all at once the boy was amazed. Never had he seen ceilings so high. And the ceilings were painted with pictures of factories and farms. On the walls were portraits of imposing looking men. One whole wall had a bank of tellers, people who sat behind tall glass windows, and took deposits and cashed checks.
“Follow me,” the girl said.
The boy followed, very conscious of the shabbiness of his clothing, and the dirt that he still wore from his travels.
Finally, the girl led him into a large room with deep red carpeting. Inside was a very imposing man. He looked just like all the other men in the portraits on the walls. He had white hair and big bushy side burns. His mustache drooped, and his mouth seemed to be frozen in a perpetual scowl.
But he smiled when he saw the girl, and he laughed softly when she gave him a kiss on the cheek.
“Father,” said the girl, “this boy has traveled a long way because he wants to get a job. I offered him a copper, but he said that he would not beg. He wants to work. He has a large family that is very poor and he would like to support them.”
The father’s scowl returned. “Do you know who I am?” he asked.
“No, sir,” said the boy.
“Well, he’s polite at least,” thought the father.
Then he said, “I am the president of this bank. I understand that you want a job.”
“Oh, yes, sir,” said the boy, his face brightening. “Please, I would like a job. I may not look like much, but I can read and I can count, and I can follow directions and…”
“Slow down,” said the father. “First I have a test for you. Come with me.”
The man stood up, and the boy followed him into a little back room.
The old man showed him a table that held a beautiful crystal pitcher that was nearly filled with gold pieces. The boy’s eyes widened in amazement. He had never seen so many gold pieces in his entire life. One gold piece would feed his family for two months. The pitcher itself might give them food enough for ten or twenty years!
“You may take as many gold pieces as you can hold in your hand,” said the Old Man.
The boy raced to the pitcher, and reached his hand in.
He grabbed as many gold pieces as he could possibly hold, but when he tried to pull his hand out, he found it was stuck in the neck of the pitcher.
He immediately burst into tears. A handful of gold coins would feed his family for a long time, and he did not want to let go.
Then he realized something. If he broke the pitcher all the coins would spill out, but he could still hold onto the ones he had.
He lifted the pitcher up high above the table. Perhaps he would cut himself, but any pain would be worth it to help his family.
Then, just as he was about to send the pitcher crashing down on the table he stopped himself. One by one, he let go of the gold pieces. At last, sadly, he removed his hand from the neck of the pitcher, completely empty.
“You know,” said the girl’s father, “if you had been satisfied with only half a handful you could have withdrawn your hand easily.”
“Yes,” said the boy, “but I did not come here to beg, nor to receive charity.”
The boy picked up the crystal pitcher with one hand, and poured gold pieces into his other hand. “I came here to show you that I was smart and could work for you,” he said. He looked at the gold pieces in his hand, and then one by one dropped them back into the crystal pitcher.
The old man looked very pleased. “No, no, don’t put them all back.”
“I won’t take charity, sir,” said the boy.
“Then consider that gold piece an advance against your pay,” the man said. “I can’t have my youngest clerk looking like a ragamuffin.”
The boy was overjoyed! He worked hard and sent money back to his family, and all of his brothers and sisters and mother and father came to live with him in the city. Then, when he was old enough, he married the old man’s daughter. In time, he became the manager and eventually the president of the bank.
If you go down to the bank, perhaps you will see his portrait hanging on the wall. He is the one who doesn’t frown quite as much as all the others.
The End.
—————-
Copyright 2008 by Mark Binder
All Rights Reserved
—————————
Note
—————————
The Aesop’s Fable of “The Boy and the Chestnuts” ends with the boy’s hand stuck in the vase and the admonition, “Do not attempt too much at once.” I think this version ends in a much more satisfying way.
—————————-
Quick Reminder After the Story
—————————-
Subscriber Specials are at http://www.markbinder.com/specials/
You’ll get four books (3 paper and one hardcover ) for $50, plus a bonus present!
– It Ate My Sister (ages 8-13 and up)
– The Bed Time Story Book (ages 4-7 and parents)
– The Brothers Schlemiel (a novel)
– A Hanukkah Present (all ages and families)
One or all of them are bound to make you (or someone you know) happy.
Subscriber Specials are at http://www.markbinder/com/specials/
Also, if you’d like to invite me to come to speak, teach or perform at your school, social or religious organization or favorite theater, please get in touch with my alter ego, Beth Hellman via email: beth@markbinder.com
—————————-
Tour Calendar
—————————-
Wednesday Oct 29, 2008 2:30pm It Ate My Book signing at the Gordon School -
Thursday Oct 30, 2008 12pm Silly Stories and Tall Tales’ at Milestones, Waltham, MA
Friday Oct 31, 2008 1:30pm ‘Spooky Stories’ at Rocky Hill School , East Greenwich, RI -
Friday Nov 7, 2008 10am ‘Silly Stories and Omakase: Many Cultures/Many Tales’ at Nathan Hale School, Meriden, CT
Sunday Nov 9, 2008 1pm ‘Life in Chelm’ Leventhal-Sidman JCC , 333 Nahanton Street, Newton, MA
Wednesday Nov 12, 2008 11am Starship Adventure at Your Library - SEMLS Showcase, Normandin Middle School in New Bedford, MA - New Bedford,
MA
Thursday Nov 13, 2008 10:30am ‘Autumn Tales’ at Little Red Hen Preschool, Warwick, RI -
Saturday Nov 15, 2008 12pm Book signing
Tuesday Nov 18, 2008 6:30pm Posoc Stories’ at Gordon School
Wednesday Nov 19, 2008 9am Stories Making/Telling’ at Carlos Pacheco School, New Bedford, MA
12:10pm Silly Stories and Tall Tales’ at Hayden-McFadden Elementary
School
Thursday Nov 20, 2008 6pm Thursday, 11/20: Family Night Book Signing’ at Nayatt School , 400 Nayatt Road , Barrington, RI at 6pm
Friday Nov 21, 2008 10am Wolf Stories (and Tall Tales) at Wolf School, East
Providence, RI
Tuesday Dec 2, 2008 6pm ‘Book Signing and Discussion’ at Borders Books - Providence Place Mall, Providence, RI
More to come. Visit http://www.markbinder.com/tour for all dates.