No.143
Yarn Circle: Listen to a Short Camp Story
Japanese name: ヤーンの輪（短い夜話を聞く）
Materials
- Mats or stable chairs
- Optional: the storyteller’s notes for a short story
How to play
- Leave the fire to its designated manager and sit in designated seats. Choose an adult storyteller; everyone else listens. Explain that the gathering will close by listening to a short story.
- Choose a familiar personal experience connected to today's camp. In 2–3 minutes, describe the difficulty, what you did, and what you learned or noticed.
- Listeners hear the whole story without calling out guesses or mocking it. The storyteller avoids frightening effects and lengthy lectures.
- Pause after the story, then ask either “What would you do?” or “What stayed with you?” Invite short responses only from those who wish to speak; passing is welcome.
- After hearing from several people, the storyteller briefly acknowledges their responses and closes. At the next gathering, invite another adult or a prepared volunteer to tell the story.
Ways to adapt
Preschool children can listen beside an adult to a clear, one-minute true story. Use one concrete situation for younger primary school children. Older primary school children and adults can discuss difficult decisions or ways of working together.