Walkabout by James Vance Marshall

Story Time with Mrs. Grumm doesn't always involve a picture book (a map or a globe would be useful).

With a retelling of the story, Walkabout by James Marshall, I am able to introduce children, as early as 3rd grade, to many concepts (see the bolded terms) that will enable them to truly appreciate good literature. It is extremely important not to impose the terminology on the children. It is simply beneficial for them to be exposed to these terms.

I make like I'm giving the kids some inside information: In a hushed voice I tell them, "you're not supposed to learn these things until junior high school!" Further, I enjoy telling them that I (myself) didn't learn these concepts until AFTER college!!! All these little musings encourage them and I get their undivided attention.






http://www.amazon.com/Walkabout-Puffin-Books-James-Marshall/dp/0140312927/sr=1-2/qid=1171605262/ref=pd_bbs_2/104-9490765-3626305?ie=UTF8&s=books


This is a story in which the kids can completely grasp the transformation - the growing up.

Indeed, I had no idea what coming of age was. I remember having to write an essay after reading John Steinbeck's "The Red Pony." I was clueless. Now, I certainly had my share of tragedy but still did not have my first coming of age experience until I was over 40. No kidding.


I may begin, "Some of us actually never grow up." We may poke fun at some adults we've seen acting childishly but immediately, I share my own coming of age story and lead us into the a brief discussion about "coming of age". Growing up means accepting more responsibility, especially for our behavior and our attitudes, etc. Provoking anticipation, I say, someone in this story is going to "come of age."

I mention that this story takes place in Australia. Someone in the audience is bound to cry out, "I've been there" or "where's Australia" but most kids know Australia. Most kids are familiar with the infamous Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin (God rest his soul).

With a globe (or map) we locate Australia and everyone in the audience can easily see the desert color of the vast outback. We locate the Northern Territory (the place in which their plane crashed) and we see the distance across this desert expanse to which the children must traverse in order to reach their destination, Adelaide.

Regarding the title of the story:
A walkabout is a rite of passage for the aborigine adolescent. He must survive for several months on his own the wilderness. When/If he returns, he will be considered a man. This provides a most suitable background for the theme that is to develop.

So begins the story:
A brother and sister (fair skinned with blonde hair) are stranded in the outback of Australia (due to a plane crash). They happen upon a lone young aborigine boy on his walkabout.

Because of where these kids come from (South Carolina in the 1950's - pre-desegregation) they are afraid of people with dark skin. The children don't have have any associations with people with a dark skin color. Maybe their parents don't let them play with dark skinned children. The people with dark skin must use different facilities, they are not allowed to enter certain stores or restaurants All these thing are like messages that tell children to avoid people with a dark skin (the society is sending messages).

(I tell the kids that "society" is telling my son that he should have a girlfriend. How? Everyday someone is either asking if he has a girlfriend, why he doesn't have a girlfriend, or someone is telling him that he spends too much time on the computer and he "needs" a girlfriend. These messages are telling him that he should have a girlfriend. He may start to feel that if he doesn't get a girlfriend, something must be wrong with him. This is pressure. Not only are the peers are putting the pressure on him but at least one adult asks me one of these very questions each day.

Thus said, I continue with the story:
The kids come across an aborigine boy on his walkabout.

Now, not only is this kid black, he's black as night!

Not only is he black as night . . . . he's completely naked !!!!

The aborigine boy enables the brother and sister to find food, water and shelter everyday and he is helps to navigate them toward "civilization." But the entire time the older sister is completely fearful of the boy. The fearful look in her eyes has grave meaning for the boy. It is the look of death in the culture that he comes from. Can you imagine how you would feel if someone always gets a terrified look on their face when they look at you?

The younger brother, on the other hand, really likes the aborigine boy. He came to terms with his fears almost right away (it's easier for him since he's younger and he's a boy). There was this totally funny scene in the very beginning in which they tried to get the aborigine boy to wear the younger brother's underwear . . . the aborigine of course had no idea what to do with the underpants and went into this silly dance. The younger brother laughed and started to join in but of course, the older sister was infuriated.

That was the icebreaker for the younger brother. He couldn't help but really like the aborigine, yet he had pressure (like peer pressure) from his sister. Over time the young boy and the aborigne spent more and more of time together. Throughout most of the story the brother tried to convince his sister that it's okay. She is terrified of him to begin with (because of his skin color) but his nakedness completely freaks her out.

This I consider the turning point:
The sister seemed to be developing a little bit of tolerance but then something major happened. While the boys were still asleep, she snuck off to have a bath. She had taken off all her clothes and was enjoying a bath under a waterfall. Suddenly, she caught sight of the boy watching her. She totally freaks out. Unfortunately, she completely misunderstood the situation. Because of the perceptions that she brings to the situation she is completely afraid that he is spying on her and has intentions to harm her. He had no such intention. He was merely curious.

Soon thereafter, the aborigine boy begins dying. The younger brother truly worried for his friend and summoned his sister. With each dreaded look that he received from the girl he became convinced he was destined to die and surely, her reaction when she caught him watching her must have completely devastated him.

When the girl finally realizes the aborigine boy is indeed dying, she takes his head into her lap and briefly their eyes meet. She is completely sorry for treating him so unkind. Her sorrowful expression communicates her concern for him. Thus, the aborigne boy dies in peace knowing that the girl finally accepts him, but not before his gaze back at her enables her to get a sense of forgiveness from him. Thus begins the denouement (the falling action).

The boy and girl must continue on without the aborigine boy. They had spent many days and many nights "walkingabout" the outback and by this time, they are fully prepared to go it alone. Their clothes are completely tattered.

Somewhere along the line, the brother captures a baby koala and tosses it into his sister's arms. The Koala clutches her clothes and GUESS WHAT HAPPENS?

When she goes to remove the Koala - he is clutching her as Koalas do with their pointy claws - her clothes completely fall to shreds around her feet! She must continue the journey completely naked . . . in front of her brother!

And it's okay!!!

Even when they finally come across some people.

Who in this story came of age (grew up/transformed)? The young girl comes of age. She is transformed. She is liberated from the dictates of her society and comes into her own.

What does her clothing represent? SYMBOLISM: The clothing represents the society that they come from.