Divide the group into four smaller groups and assign each group one of the words listed below. Read the story. After each of the words is read pause for the group to make the appropriate response.
DOLLS
"My Baby, my Baby"
ANIMALS
"Lions, and Tigers, and Bears Oh My"
CLOWN
"Send in the Clowns"
LITTLE BLUE ENGINE
"Go Blue, go Blue"
Chug chug chug. The little train ran along the tracks. She was a happy little train. Her cars were full of good things for boys and girls. There were all kinds of toy ANIMALS___. There were beautiful DOLLS___, and the funniest toy CLOWN___ you ever saw.
The little train was taking all these toys to the other side of the mountain. How happy the boys and girls will be to see me said the little train. But all at once the train came to a stop. "Oh dear said the little train what can be the matter"? She tried to start up again but her wheels just would not turn. The toy CLOWN___, animals, and the DOLLS___ climbed out of their cars and tried to push the little train but she did not move.
Just then a shiny new engine came puffing down another track. Maybe that engine can help cried the CLOWN___. The DOLLS___ and ANIMALS___ cried out to him. Our engine is not working they said. Please pull our train over the mountain. The shiny new engine was not friendly. The engine said I don't carry CLOWNS___, ANIMALS___ or DOLLS___, I carry people and sped off down the track. A while later the toy CLOWN___ called out there comes another bigger stronger engine. Maybe he can help. The DOLLS___ called out "Please help us, Big Strong Engine. Our train is not working. Will you pull us over the mountain"? I do not pull toys," he said. "I pull cars full of heavy logs. I have no time for the likes of you.
By this time the little train was no longer a happy train. The CLOWN___, ANIMALS___ and DOLLS___ were ready to cry. But around the bend one of the ANIMALS___ spotted another engine coming. This one was a happy LITTLE BLUE ENGINE___. She saw the DOLLS___ waving and stopped at once. "What is the matter?" she asked in a kind way". Oh LITTLE BLUE ENGINE___," cried the CLOWN___, will you pull us over the mountain, our engine is not working? If you do not help, the boys and girls will have no toys. "Oh my, said the LITTLE BLUE ENGINE___". "I am not very big. And I do not pull trains. I just work in the yards. I have never been over the mountain. The LITTLE BLUE ENGINE___ looked at the sad faces of the CLOWN___, ANIMALS___ and DOLLS___.
Finally the LLITTLE BLUE ENGINE___ said, "I think I can climb up the mountain. I think I can. I think I can. She tugged and pulled. She pulled and she tugged. Puff, puff, chug, chug went the LITTLE BLUE ENGINE___. I think I can. Slowly, slowly, the train started to move. Up, up, up the LITTLE BLUE ENGINE___ climbed and climbed. At last she reached the top of the mountain. Hurray cried the CLOWN___, ANIMALS___, and DOLLS___. But as she puffed down the mountain, the LITTLE BLUE ENGINE___ seemed to say. "I thought I could. I thought I could.
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