Written by Urvi Shah

Dominic has spilled water over his sister, Mia’s painting while playing with his ball. She screams at him furiously, and his mother scolds him for being careless. Led to tears, he wonders why he is always rebuked for something he does unknowingly.

“I wish this sadness would just leave me,” he murmurs as he leans against the tree trunk. And just as he wishes that a bird’s song, sweet and joyful reaches his ears. In a quest to find the bird Dominic is guided into another world, the vast abode of the Sky Spirit who then shows him a way to dissolve his sadness.

HOW TO USE THIS STORY?
Teachers, parents and adults may read aloud this story to children. Alternatively, it may be given to the children to read themselves depending on their abilities. The child, thereafter may be asked to recount or draw their favourite part.

Please feel free to use the story creatively along with art, music, puppets etc., as you are inspired, albeit, without changing or diluting the purity of intent.

HOW THIS STORY CAME TO BE?
I wrote this story for Dominic, a very focused 11 year old child I spent some time teaching in the summer of 2022. I had asked him for an emotion he wanted to overcome, and he said ‘sadness’.

I wrote this story in conjuction with the story for Mia, his younger sister, who came up with ‘anger’ as an emotion she wanted to look at.

This story shows a gentle way in which sadness can be released. In the face of strong emotions, many a times we disconnect from our bodies. Gentle touch can bring us back to ourselves, be with the emotion and slowly allow it to dissolve. This is what the Sky Spirit helps Dominic discover!

FOR WHOM?
The story is for children (age 6+) and adults.