Terrible Things Eve Bunting

Teacher Mom

These terrible things would remove different types of animals. Once, they took all animals with feathers. Everyone was relieved when it was not them. They say they do not even like birds anyway.

Another time, they took all the animals that could swim. All animals were terrified, but relieved when it was not them.Finally, it came down to where all that remained of bunny rabbits. Then one day, the terrible things with their terrible smell came and took away all the rabbits, except for a small which was small enough to hide in the rocks. This little was left had to go tell all the other animals in the forests on the other terrible things.

If the animals in this forest has not idea for the risk of terrible things, do you think that animals in other forests would listen to the warning?

Do you think that others listen to the truth that the bunny had to say?

Could we take this story, "terrible things" and apply it to our lives? There terrible things that come with their smell terrible and tear our lives? Do any of these terrible things bring death to us for those around us, or relationships?

What might be these terrible things? Could it be something terrible is abuse? Would it be physical, verbal, or sexual abuse that bring death and destruction? What if you know of this abuse, and you do nothing? What if you're like animals in the story, and you just said, "I do not like anyway."Or maybe you're just grateful it's not you, it's not the case in your family?

If you know of the abuse or neglect, is not it your responsibility to say something to report, or do something? The worst thing we can do is to pretend that this is not the case.

What can you do? First, you can pray. Then you can report it. Maybe you can be a safe place for someone to come if necessary. Maybe you can let them know how to get help. I can not give you an answer remains as to how to treat each situation, but you and I can not turn our backs on it.

We must pray, then we must do something to make the situation better. We can not pretend that this is not the case.

Ways to Remember the Terrible Things | JPS

, Which sets to music the poetry of Mordechai Gebertig.

 - The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in DC is running an exhibit called, “The Holocaust” through June.  It spans three floors, with over 900 artifacts, and is divided into three parts: “Nazi Assault,” “Final Solution,” and “Last Chapter.”  The museum is also hosting a bunch of really great traveling exhibits, including: “Fighting the Fires of Hate: America and the Nazi Book Burnings,” “Nazi Persecution of Homosexuals 1933 – 1945,” and “Deadly Medicine: Creating the Master Race.” 

If you’re planning to spend the day in your house, consider reading a book on the Holocaust.  Or, even better, think about sharing a book on the Holocaust with your child (or someone else’s child).

Terrible things, an allegory of the Holocaust

Terrible things, an allegory of the Holocaust

Gleam and Glow

Guided comprehension in action, lessons for grades 3-8

Learning about-- the Holocaust, literature and other resources for young people