Children need adventures. Otherwise they will have no tales to tell. There will be evenings, sitting around the table, or at the fireside, where stories will be exchanged. Friendships will be made.
What stories will they share?
There is a storyteller in us all. Some are natural. Others refine the art by listening to others delivering their stories. With each tale heard, the fledgling storyteller picks up not only the story and its message, but how to spin a yarn. How to keep their audience wrapped and hanging on their every word. Without the aid of a book.
Real stories. Fun stories. Tall, amazing stories.
As a parent, there is little more wonderful than a child requesting to hear the same story again. “Tell us the story about how you bought a horse from the king of the gypsies.” “How about the time you looked into the mouth of a volcano.” *
But they need stories of their own to tell. They need adventures.
Recently we stayed in a cottage, right on a beach. It was in the small coastal village of Dunure, Scotland. A dream of a beach. The beach is covered with jaspers, quartz, sea glass and more. There is a ruined castle with a ghastly story. A view over the water to the Isle of Arran. 
The first night, my youngest was uncertain about sleeping. He couldn’t settle. The excitement of being on holiday and the unfamiliarity of his room.
I sat on his bed, opened the curtains and showed him the sea serpent outside his bedroom window (photo above – can you see him?).
I explained that the serpent was called Cedric, the events that brought him to Dunure, and that he liked this beach. He chose to guard it and was exceptionally good at keeping this small part of the world peaceful. He was well known for it. There was nothing to worry about. In his sleepy state, the story was just enough to tip the balance, and my little son drifted off to sleep.
The next morning, all three children went out to explore. In truth, they took every opportunity over the week, to be out on the beach. There were plenty of rock pools to investigate. So long as they didn’t go alone, they were free to explore whenever they liked. No need to wait for a parent.
They spotted how sea anemones open in the water, like flowers, but looked like glistening jelly blobs once the tide has gone out. How they gently grabbed a finger when you touched them.
They found hermit crabs. Watched their antics as the crabs sensed the tide coming in. One crab chasing the others. The drama captivated the three children, until the sea started to lap on to one of their feet.
All three children connected with their inner rock hounds. Heads down along the shoreline, bending at every interesting stone, as if performing a beach dance to music we couldn’t quite catch.
I wish I could have told them more about each pebble they brought me. We visited the Gem Rock museum, in Creetown, and filled in a bit more of our knowledge.
All the time, Cedric guarded the beach while they were exploring. A sleeping, benevolent giant. Who encouraged children, in the know, to ride upon his head.
Hopefully, the holiday will provide them with stories to tell. Mountains climbed. Castles explored. Ancient stones discovered. Sea serpents befriended.
They had room to grow.
We all did. I picked up so many pebbles and pieces of sea glass. I’m busy crafting them into projects.
I’m experimenting with silver wire wrapping. It’s just the beginning. I can see I need to improve my technique. Presenting each piece, just so. Telling it’s story.
I’d love to find a silversmith course. Hard to justify at the moment, so I’ll keep on working with the wire and improving the way I do it.
So, back to the point. Do you sit and tell stories to your children, without a book? Do you encourage them to tell their stories too? Nudging them to create images in their minds. I think it is such a wonderful way to spend time together.
If nothing else, it is a good excuse for another adventure.
*All true stories. In case you are wondering.
Such a lovely post 🙂 Looks like a lovely family holiday, I love the stories and the beach adventures, your children will have made some fab memories. Your jewellery looks great too, what a fantastic idea!
Thank you Steph. It is my first attempt.
Gorgeous post ..what a beautiful place .
Love the wire wrapping!
Hi Val! It is a beautiful place. I hope to go back there again.
What a lovely story to tell your son. Aaahhhh Dunure – the often impossible place to park.
I am glad you liked my part of the world and that the children enjoyed the beach and the rock pools.
Will need to look hardernext time I am there have never seen pretty stones like those.
I was sitting telling Mia stories today, she is only 4 weeks old but she seemed to listen intently as the story unfolded.
Bob is the best one to do stories with when we are out and about as he has a great imagination.
Yes, I know what you mean about parking, although there is a park above the castle, whihc must make it easier. I think with story telling that it is down to practise. Mia sounds the perfect audience. Good luck with finding some pretty stones.
What an inspired story to send your son to sleep and leave him feeling reassured about the new surroundings. It looks like the most magical location and those rock pools are teaming with life. I can see the children will have many tales to tell of their holiday. I wonder if they will return one day and tell their children the same stories? Well done on the stones, these are looking pretty perfect to me!
Thank you for sharing with me on #CountryKids
It would be good if they loved the story enough to pass it on. I have a feeling we will be talking about the beach and Cedric the sea serpent for a long time.
You are so right, kids need adventure and stories, too often in the modern world kids are locked up inside, their imaginations trapped in the video games they play.
Great post #CoutryKids
Too true. I hope to achieve the balance.
That pretty much looks like my ideal beach. I get bored with sand, give me rockpools and shells/stones any day! And of course the serpent 🙂 Love the pendant; a great idea which has got me thinking about our collection of beach ‘stuff’. #countrykids
I have to agree with you. Sandy beaches are lovely, but noising around a rock pool wins every time.
What an astoundingly beautiful place for a holiday, there’s nothing better than a beach for of rockpools. Gorgeous photos and I love your pendants #Countrykids
Wow great job with that jewellery, my girls woudl be in their element with a beach with all those semi-precious stones. it looks amazing. Mich x #countrykids
Lovely pictures, looks like a great holiday. Wow your necklace is beautiful, you did a great job here 🙂
Love the sea glass. Wire wrapping’s quite hard I find – I’ve just got rid of all of my jewellery making equipment #countrykids
Awww that bedtime story is so sweet and I am sure to fall asleep too knowing someone is guarding me. This is such an amazing trip and I am dreaming of seeing sea glass too! Thanks for sharing. This is my fave post this week in #countrykids
OMG that is so wonderful. And the making jewellery so that the story (and the person) can always be remembered! We don’t but it is something I am going to start! #countrykids
You need to write more about Cedric for your little boy.Me and my kids love collecting sea glass when we visit the beach.You’ve done a wonderful job of presenting it the wire.