I run a Book Group for Children at the Library and we meet once a month.
Last week i had a Christmas special session and we looked at the Poem 'Twas The Night Before Christmas.'
We read it through, discussed some of the words they didn't know and talked about the poems origins, as it was first written in 1822 there were some bits they didn't understand or didn't like.
I set them the task of re-writing it in modern English. I told them they could keep it similar, or change it into a rap or song or do whatever they wanted with it. I got some really good results.
They took their poems home with them so i can't put them up here, however i joined in with the activity and wrote my own version.
I am quite pleased with my result and thought i would share it with all of you. Considering I had to keep stopping to help the Children and keep them quiet etc, I only really had a total of ten minutes to write it, but i'm still proud. Let me know what you think
"On the night before Christmas, all round the house,
all was quiet, no screams or shouts.
The presents were laid under the tree,
with mince pies and milk for Santa to see.
The kids were asleep dreaming of fun
Parents were snoring till the morning sun.
I heard a loud bang and hoof beats on the roof
My dog started barking with a loud WOOF!
I opened my window and looked out on the world
I saw a big sleigh with runners that curled.
The garden was covered with a light snow,
I noticed a man who could be a foe.
His reindeer was pawing the ground
He turned to them and called, his voice a booming sound.
"Now Dasher, now Dancer, now Prancer and Vixen,
On Comet, on Cupid, on Donner and Blitzen."
With his twinkling eyes and big beaming smile
I knew a visit form him would be worthwhile.
With his sack full of toys and a giant bound,
He came down my chimney, hardly making a sound.
I ran down the stairs to see what he would do
And all at once I knew just who,
Saint Nick or Santa was in my front room
His clothes were bright red under the soot from the flume.
He had big black boots and a fluffy beard so white
He finished the milk and mince pies in one bite.
He left lots of presents and fled with a zoom
Back up the chimney, straight out of the room
Up to the roof and the cold winters bite
Back to his reindeer's as they jumped into the night
And I heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!"
Hope you enjoyed that, here is the original for any who don't know it:
Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!
"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.
His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"
Merry Christmas Everyone :D
