The Story of the Boy Named "Play"

This beautiful story is about a little boy named "Play" and how he faced misunderstanding from others because of his strange name. It’s a tale that teaches children the importance of not judging others based on first impressions, and the need to listen and believe before making judgments. It also shows children that every person is different and unique, and that this difference should be respected and appreciated.

A Boy with a Strange Name

In a beautiful small village, there was a little boy named "Play". Yes, that was his real name! But the problem was that no one believed it was his real name. Everyone thought he was just a child who loved to play a lot, and that's why he said his name was "Play".

Play lived with his happy family: his father whose name was "Work", his mother whose name was "Cook", and his little sister "Cheer". They were a unique family with strange names, but they loved each other very much.

The First Day of School

When Play grew up and reached school age, it was time for him to go to school for the first time. He was very excited for this important day in his life.

On the first day of school, Play entered the classroom with confident steps and a wide smile. He sat in his seat and waited for the kind teacher who came to meet her new students.

The teacher asked each student for their name. When it was our little boy's turn, he said in a clear voice: "My name is Play."

The Misunderstanding and Anger

The teacher looked at him in surprise and said: "Who is playing? Where is he?"

Play answered calmly: "No one is playing, teacher. My name is Play."

The teacher laughed and said: "How strange! Your name is Play? You must be joking, my dear. Tell me your real name."

Play became a little sad and said: "I swear my name is Play, and I have no other name. Why doesn't anyone believe me?"

The teacher shook her head and said: "It's okay, it's okay. What is your father's name?"

Play said: "His name is Work."

The teacher became more astonished and thought the child was making fun of her. She asked him again: "And what is your mother's name?"

He answered truthfully: "My mother's name is Cook."

The teacher's anger grew, but she remembered it was the child's first day of school, so she tried to control her temper.

The Lesson Learned

She asked him firmly: "Do you have any brothers or sisters?"

Play answered politely and respectfully: "Yes, I have one sister."

"What's her name?" the teacher asked.

Play hesitated a little and said: "I'm afraid to tell you because you won't believe me."

The teacher encouraged him: "No, no, tell me, my dear, what's your sister's name?"

Play said in a low voice: "Her name is Cheer."

At this, the teacher's anger reached its peak. She decided to end this strange conversation and said in a loud voice: "Now, go and play with your friends!"

Play left the classroom very sad. He went to the schoolyard where the children were playing, but his heart was filled with sadness because his teacher didn't believe him.

Meanwhile, the teacher remembered that she had a list of the new students' names. She went to her office and brought the list and started looking through the names.

And here was the big surprise! She found a student named "Play," his father's name was "Work," and his mother's name was "Cook."

The teacher laughed from the bottom of her heart and felt very ashamed. The child had been telling the truth the whole time, and she had wronged him with her assumptions and her disbelief.

The teacher rushed to the window overlooking the schoolyard and watched the children playing. She saw Play running and having fun with his new friends, despite the sadness in his heart.

The teacher laughed and said: "Look! The boy Play is now playing with his little friends."

The teacher called Play back to the classroom.

When he entered, she apologized to him in front of all the students and said: "I apologize, Play. I was wrong not to believe you. Your name is beautiful and special, and I am proud to have you in my class."

Play smiled a wide smile and said: "It's okay, teacher. I understand my name is strange, but I love it very much."

From that day on, Play became one of the outstanding students at school. He was smart and hardworking, and all the teachers and students loved him. His name became a source of pride for him, not embarrassment.

And the teacher learned an important lesson: we should never judge others at first glance, and we should listen and believe them before forming our opinions about them.

And Play lived happily with his family, and the more he grew, the more he was proud of his unique name that made him different from others.

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Lessons Learned

• Don't Judge Others: We should not judge people based on appearances or first impressions, but get to know them first.
• The Importance of Listening: It is important to listen to others and give them a chance to express themselves.
• Respecting Differences: Every person is different and unique, and this difference should be respected and appreciated.
• Apologizing for Mistakes: When we make a mistake, we should apologize and correct our errors.
• Self-Confidence: We must be proud of ourselves and not be ashamed of being different.

Discussion Questions

1. What were the names of Play's parents and sister? What do their names mean?
2. Why was the teacher so angry at first?
3. How did the teacher find out the truth about Play's name?
4. What did the teacher do to apologize to Play?
5. What is the most important lesson the teacher learned?

Suggested Activities

• Draw Your Family: Ask children to draw their own family, giving each member a name that matches what they like to do (e.g., "Draw," "Sing," "Play").
• Role-Play: Act out the scene where the teacher doesn't believe Play, but this time, ask a child to play a teacher who believes him from the beginning.
• "The Name Wheel": Create a large cardboard wheel with different, unusual names on it. Ask children to imagine what a person with such a name might like to do, to celebrate differences.