The 3rd Grade students took to the stage for their eagerly awaited performance of Folk Tails, written by Lisa L. Abbott. Families, teachers, and students filled the Harris Theater, excited to witness the culmination of their hard work and talent.
Head of School Dr. Jesse Dougherty spoke about the importance of plays in a Green Vale education, explaining, "Plays like this show how well students collaborate and work together. In becoming a character, they develop empathy and confidence—skills that will serve them far beyond the stage." His words set the tone for a morning of teamwork, heart, and creativity.
As the play began, the students entered the theater from all sides, dressed in a colorful array of costumes representing animals from around the world. Their enthusiasm filled the space as they began to sing “It’s a Small World,” by Richard and Robert Sherman, filling the air with hope and unity. Fun fact: Richard Sherman later added a verse that reads:
Though the seas are wide and the skies are gray,
We are all a part of the same world today.
The song set a perfect tone for the morning's performance—a reminder of the shared human experience that connects us all.
The theme of the play centered on the timeless power of storytelling. The students explained how stories are told in many forms—through books, movies, and live performances—and how each story carries a message that transcends borders and generations. From there, the students took the audience on a journey across cultures, sharing folk tales from all over the globe.
In one story, “The Monkey’s Heart,” the mischievous monkey was taught a valuable lesson about the consequences of deceit. The clever monkey, full of trickery, learns that honesty and humility are always the best path forward. The students brought this fable to life by singing the beautiful Assamese folk song “Amare Moina.”
Next, the audience was transported to Bremen, performing the story “The Bremnen Town Musicians,” where a donkey, a dog, a cat, and a rooster—each on their own journey—came together to form an unlikely but unbeatable team. Through teamwork, these animals discovered that, united, they were stronger than they ever could have been alone. The students performed a wonderful rendition of the German folk song “All Things Shall Perish.”
The adventure continued to the wild jungles of Borneo, where a tiger’s arrogance led to a lesson about humility in the Malaysian folk tale “Why There Are No Tigers in Borneo.” The students infused the story with humor and wit, while the Indonesian folk song “Geylang Si Paku Geylang” captured the playful spirit.
In a playful twist, the students also explored “Why Dogs Chase Other Animals”—an African folktale about the rivalry between dogs and other creatures. The story, filled with humor and mischief, brought laughter to the audience as the students energetically performed and sang the Congolese folk song “Banaha.”
The entire 3rd Grade gathered on stage to sing “Why We Tell the Story” by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty. Their heartfelt performance was a powerful reminder of the enduring power of storytelling. The song celebrated how stories connect us, help us understand one another, and bind us together across time and cultures.
A special thank you to Play Director Jess Beja; Music Director Jess Chen; Scenic Designers Brigid Coffey and Scott Carro; the 3rd Grade teaching team: Paula Pischel, Madison Savage, Lorraine Campbell, and Melissa Noga; Lighting and Sound Technicians Anthony Schettino and Danielle Maggi; and Photography and Video Specialist Chloe Johnson; and everyone who helped make this play a success.