Being Jealous
Aim
To help children understand that feeling jealous is not good, and to learn how praying might help.
Preparation
You will need a Focus Table and a large copy of Maria's Prayer (see 'Prayer')
Focus
- Some pre-school toys
- A good sized mirror
Story - Maria and the Toy Box
Maria was feeling cross. It was Sunday, and Harry had gone to stay with Auntie Sue. Auntie Sue lived on a farm about two hours drive away in the countryside. It was an exciting place to go and stay.
"It's not fair!" she had shouted as the car drove off and Mum waved good-bye to Harry.
'Why does he always get the best treats? I suppose its because he's a boy,' and Maria had run upstairs and slammed the bedroom door. She caught sight of herself in the mirror (show). She looked like this!
Harry hadn't started school yet so that was why he was going away without Maria. Maria's holiday was over and she had to go back to school tomorrow.
Maria's bedroom had loads of books and toys, but she didn't feel like playing with them.
"I know what I'll do." she said aloud, "I'll get Harry's toy chest and play with all his precious things!"
Maria emptied the chest and then kicked everything all over the carpet. (Drop some toys on floor.) She didn't really want to play with them. They were too young for her.
She went out to her swing in the garden until it was time for tea. She missed Harry really although she always teased him because he was four years younger than her. She missed his chatter at meal time and his empty chair made her feel sad. She missed having no one to argue with and she missed him asking her lots of questions.
'Maria will you play with me?' 'Maria will you read to me?' 'Maria will you help me?'
It made her feel important.
Mum was not pleased when she saw the toys all over the bedroom floor.
"Harry did that before he left," said Maria, "I saw him."
"You know I don't believe that!" replied Mum, "Now you just..." but she didn't get any further. The phone rang. Mum went to answer it.
Maria listened from the top of the stairs.
"Right! We'll come over right away Sue!"
"What's happened?" asked Maria as Mum put the phone down.
"It's Harry", she said. "He's had to go to hospital. He fell and bumped his head and is very poorly. I need to go and see him. I'll get Grandma to come and stay with you."
"Can't I come too?" Maria had forgotten about school in the morning - but Mum hadn't!
It was lonely without Mum. It was lonely without Harry. Maria always enjoyed being with Grandma but this time, Grandma was worried too.
Maria went into Harry's room. All his things were on the floor where she had left them. It seemed ages ago since she had felt so cross. She almost felt as if Harry being in hospital was her fault. She started to cry.
Grandma found her and gave her a cuddle and a tissue and said,
"Let's put Harry's things away and then make a special card for him to get well."
"I hope he comes home soon," said Maria, "I love Harry."
"And I love you both", said Grandma, reaching for a tissue.
Maria went to wash her face and this is what she saw in the mirror!
Thinking Time
Ask
- Had Harry done anything wrong?
- Why did Maria feel cross at the beginning? (she was jealous)
- What made her want to spoil Harry's toys? (jealousy makes us want to hurt people)
- Do you think she changed when she knew Harry was sick?
- Did Mum really love Harry best?
Prayer
Explain to the children that you are going to show them Maria's prayer. Ask them if they would like to read it with you.
Maria's Prayer
Dear God,
My teacher says I can talk to You at any time.
I've never talked to you on my own yet.
I am sorry Harry sometimes makes me cross.
I do love him really.
Please help him be better soon.
Amen
Songs
Sorry Lord: Children's Praise No. 155 Marshall &
Pickering
Let us love one another: Children's Praise No. 120 Marshall
& Pickering
Jesus' hands were kind hands: Someone's Singing Lord No.
33
