Taking for Granted

To reflect on what we and others have to offer each other.

by Alistair Telfer

Suitable for Whole School (Pri)

Aims

To reflect on what we and others have to offer each other.

Preparation and materials

• You will need a non-see-through plastic bag containing a bottle of water.

Assembly

1. Carry the bag containing the water bottle with great care, as if it contains a very precious item. Tell the children that they are about to see something wonderful, so wonderful that they will be delighted, thrilled.
   
   Generally wind up your audience to expect something fantastic. Invite children to guess what might be in the bag. What might they consider would be really fantastic to find in there?
   
   Finally invite a child to take out the contents of the bag - the bottle of water. Show your delight, and be surprised at the poor response!
   
   
2. Explain how we use water, and indeed take it for granted. Ask for examples of how we use water directly, e.g. drinking, washing, growing plants, cooking, making other drinks, etc.
   
   In other words, it is a commodity that we take completely for granted - until we have none. Indeed lots of people in the world do not have it on tap.
   
   
3. Explain that there are other uses for water that are less obvious. Our bodies are mostly made of water - no water would mean no us! Water makes things grow, so no water = no plants; no plants = no oxygen = no us!
   
   
4. Ask the children to look at their neighbours. Ask them whether they think they are special, or do they perhaps take their friends for granted, just like the water in the bottle?
   
   We all have different abilities and can be really helpful to each other in lots of ways. We can help make each other's lives more exciting and richer, through our friendships.

Time for reflection

Dear God,
Help us not to take each other for granted.
Thank you for all our individual talents and abilities.
Help us use them to make each other happier in our community.
Amen.

Song/music

'Water of life' (Come and Praise, 2)