Noticing how the smaller birds exclude the larger bird because he is different.
Exploring what it looks like when a group works together to leave someone out or treat them unkindly.
Thinking about how the big bird responded to being treated meanly and what that shows about him.
Considering the perspectives of the different characters.
Exploring group dynamics and the influence of peers.
A group of small birds land on a telephone wire and squabble with each other for space. A large bird that looks and behaves differently to them, arrives and tries to join the group. The small birds mock him and move away to avoid him. The big bird lands on the wire anyway and tries to connect, but the group continues to reject him. Eventually, their actions lead to unexpected consequences and the situation flips, leaving the small birds in a vulnerable position while the bigger bird flies away.
• What did you notice about how the small birds treated the big bird when he arrived?
• How do you think the big bird felt when the small birds moved away from him?
• Why do you think the small birds were being mean to the big bird?
• What could the small birds have done differently when the big bird first landed?
• What happened to the small birds at the end because of how they treated the big bird?
• The big bird kept trying to join in even when the small birds were unkind. What do you think of that?
• Explain a time when you saw or experienced someone being mean.
• What kinds of things could have been done differently in that situation?
The questions within this guide are designed to open dialogue and facilitate discussion around the relevant topics. It is up to the user to adapt as needed to best suit the person they are supporting. A neuroaffirming approach was central to the design of these resources and remains essential to their application. This means recognising and respecting the diverse ways people think, communicate, and experience the world, ensuring all conversations are led with curiosity, respect, and without judgement. These resources are a starting point. Trust your knowledge of the person you are supporting to shape the conversation from there.
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