Generosity: Mr. Gumpy's Outing

Mr. Gumpy's Outing by John Burningham

Making origami boats

Mr. Gumpy goes for a boat ride and along the way a number of animals ask if they can join him. He allows them but he has rules to his generosity. If the rabbit joins, he cannot hop. If the cat comes aboard, he cannot chase the rabbit and on it goes. Mr. Gumpy has a condition for each animal. The trip goes smoothly until one at a time each animal breaks his/her rule and they all capsize. Still being generous, Mr. Gumpy asks the animals back to his house to share a meal.

I wondered aloud if Mr. Gumpy was too generous and that is why they fell into the water. Sofia said, "No, you can't be too generous because that is what it is all about."

William thought that maybe only 4 animal should be on the boat then they wouldn't tip. Tyreese agreed that not all of the animals should go at once.

Coming onto the boat

Testing the boats

Sofia's comment had us thinking: if Mr. Gumpy wasn't too generous then why did they tip?

Bela said, "The animals didn't follow the rules when they were on the boat. If they listened there would be no problems."

Sharing some food

I asked, "Can you be generous and have rules or conditions attached to your generosity?"

All of the children thought you could. They talked about times where they have been generous but had rules like Mr. Gumpy. Keira added, "I always tell my sister you can play with me but you can't break my structure."

Comments

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