Puppet Show with a Message

On 26th July 2016, students of class 5 attended a puppet show at the Akshara Theatre. The show titled When all was Green is a production of the Key Theatre from Israel.

The story revolves around a boy and a tree. The boy while chasing a bird notices a tree. The boy is overcome with sorrow at not being able to catch the bird and starts crying. The tree seems to reach out to comfort him, as it were and the boy finds solace. Thereafter he often comes to sit under the tree.

Alas, when he grows up, the boy as an adult, does not hesitate to chop off the tree and sell parts of it for monetary gain, forgetting all the happy moments he spent under it as a child! When old and grey though, he returns once more to seek solace in his solitude, although only to the tree's stump. Lo and behold, the tree springs to life and suddenly sprouts a new leaf.

This imaginative show presented important issues in a unique style. Without words and through meaningful props, it managed to draw attention to the immense damage we can sometimes inflict, unknowingly. The new leaf signifies the possibility for us to turn a new leaf and change for the better. Also the aspect of forgiveness and renewal.

The children were curious to ask questions and the presenters of the play were delighted to oblige them. It was heartening to observe the children's interest and analytical abilities from the way they voiced their opinions on the issues that emanated. Ms. Radhika Prabhaker.