Quality of Número 1

This is a story of about 12 parts. Below is part one.

A Number Journey up Mt. Gloria

By Brook Rivera

Papa gnome, Mama gnome, Snowflake, and Cedar all loved to go adventuring together as a family. Every year they chose a new mountain to hike to the top of, because they loved exploring. This year they chose Mt Gloria. Mt Gloria had a trail that wound around and up the mountain. (show spiral with hand)- like a spiral.

As they knew this trip would take them many days, they packed their bags the night before. The morning they were to leave they got up early with the sunrise. Snowflake lead the way, excited to be embarking on the journey with her family.

When they finally reached Mt Gloria, it was almost dark, so they decided to set up camp for the night. Cedar and Papa Gnome gathered sticks and wood to start a fire, while Snowflake found rocks for the pit, and Mama Gnome prepared their dinner. A little ways off they could see another fire burning. They all wondered who it could be. After dinner they cleaned up and snuggled in tight for a good night’s rest, looking forward for the trip up the mountain tomorrow.

Quality of #1

(ex: sun, oneself, a family)

The next morning was beautiful! The sun shone down on the gnomes, warming the family’s faces. They quickly ate breakfast, packed up, and walked towards the trailhead of Mt. Goria.

When they reached the trailhead they saw a big wooden sign that had the words Mt Gloria carved in it. Next to the sign was a small hut with a fire ring. A gnome with a red hat and golden tip came and greeted them.

“Welcome to Mt. Gloria! Whom do I have the pleasure of meeting today?”

The Gnome family introduced themselves, curious as to who this red hat gnome was. “We are Papa Gnome, Mama Gnome, Cedar, and Snowflake,” answered Papa Gnome. “Are you traveling up the mountain, as well?”

“Oh no. At least not today,” answered the red hat gnome. “My job is to tend to the fire so that there is light and warmth for all who come. I am one of many guardians of this mountain. We help take care of the plants and animals that live here and keep the trail clean so that all may continue to use it.”

“Do you know of a good place we can camp tonight?” asked Papa Gnome.

“Keep on walking till you come to a creek. There should be a good spot to camp there. Before you head off, would you all be interested in a riddle and poem (story)?”

“Sure!” responded the gnome family. They set down their packs, eager to hear what the guardian gnome had to share.

(Pick a story to represent the quality of #1 and/or read poem below. A good story is The Story of One Big Sun in the Oak Meadow Kindergarden Coursebook)

“Riddle me this:


Although there is only one of me

I give warmth and life

To many plants and animals.

What am I?”

“The sun, of course,” answered Cedar and Snowflake.

“That is correct. I wrote this poem to share with travelers, as a reminder of our connection to the sun, the earth, and one another. Carry it in your hearts as you travel on,” said the red hat gnome.

1 sun beneath I live
whose warmth to planet earth it does give
1 earth on which I stand
Full of families of creatures on both sea and land
1 family from which I come
Living and working together
Taking care of one another
1 me as unique as can be
part of a whole — my family

“Thank you, sir gnome. We are definitely looking forward to accomplishing this mountain together as a family,” exclaimed Papa Gnome.

“See you all on the way back down!” The red hat gnome waved and went back to tending his welcome fire.

(This is a good place to stop and talk about the qualities and quantities of number 1.)