Dear Holy Cross Parents and Carers,

My Grandmother was an avid reader and captivating storyteller. From Shakespeare’s sonnets to Dickens’ dramas and the timeless tales of the Brothers Grimm, she had a gift for bringing stories to life. So, when I returned to school after the holidays sporting a broken ankle and foot, I decided to channel her storytelling spirit and share a tale of my own. It went something like this:

During the holidays, an unexpected visitor took up residence under my bed - a mutant aardvark who had, rather dramatically, escaped from the zoo. On the final morning of the holiday, I leapt out of bed with the enthusiasm only a teacher can muster at the thought of school starting the next day. In my excitement, I failed to notice the aardvark’s large tail poking out from beneath the bed, and I jumped on it. Startled, the aardvark whipped around, his long snout catching me squarely and sending me flying. The result…one broken ankle, one broken foot, and one very confused zoo escapee. The rest, as they say, is painful history…

I was very proud of my dramatic fabricated recount, but sadly, none of the students believed me. Clearly, I’ve inherited my grandmother’s love of storytelling but not quite her talent.

Two people who certainly weren’t lacking in storytelling talent were the Brothers Grimm. For over 200 years, the tales of Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm have enchanted children and adults alike. Cinderella, Snow White, Little Red Riding Hood, Sleeping Beauty, Hansel and Gretel… the list goes on. But one lesser-known gem is The Moon, a short tale later adapted into an opera by German composer Carl Orff.

It’s a curious and thought-provoking story. Four rowdy lads live in a land of complete darkness – no sun by day, no moon or stars by night. One day, they stumble upon a land where the moon hangs from a tree (as you do), and they decide to steal it and bring it home. They charge people for moonlight – a bit cheeky, yes, but enterprising! Eventually, they grow old and die, and with each passing, a piece of the moon is buried with them. The light disappears… until Petrus, ruler of the sky, descends to the dead, retrieves the moon’s pieces, and hangs them back in the sky for all to enjoy.

Beyond the fairy tale, there’s a deeper message here, one that resonates with Christian symbolism. Light, in many traditions, represents hope, truth, and love. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12). And later, “You are the light of the world.” (Matthew 5:14). Just like Petrus restored the moonlight, we too are called to bring light into the lives of others through kindness, compassion, and service.

It’s easy to slip into criticism, complaint, or judgement; we all do it especially when the kettle’s empty or someone’s left crumbs in the butter, but when we choose patience, understanding, and generosity, we reflect something far greater. We become the light in someone else’s story.

And just like those four lads who lost their way, we too might stumble but for the beauty of life and faith. We can always retrieve the ‘pieces’, hang them back in the sky, and shine again.

So, as we turn the pages of our own stories – sometimes filled with laughter, sometimes with aardvarks – let’s remember the power we have to be light-bearers in the lives of our children and our community. Read with them, laugh with them, share your stories (even the embarrassing ones), and help them discover the joy of storytelling, not just in books, but in the way we live, love, and learn.

So go on, embrace the challenge and make your life a story worth telling, and help your children do the same.

Fondest regards,

Sarah