A GENIUS THIS AND THAT



Divide the group into six 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.
NORMAN "Oh my!" (raise both hands)
THIS "Right!" (raise right hand)
THAT "Left!" (raise left hand)
RIGHT "This!" (raise right hand)
LEFT "That!" (raise left hand)
GENIUS All clap and cheer

THIS __ is the story of NORMAN __ , a boy who wanted very much to be a GENIUS __. But no matter how hard he tried, it just didn't work out. You see, NORMAN __ had a problem. He could not tell RIGHT __ from LEFT __ . At school, the teacher would say, "When you know the answer, raise your RIGHT __ hand." By the time NORMAN __ figured which hand was which, it was too late! At home, it was the same thing. It was, "NORMAN __ , you have your LEFT __ shoe on the RIGHT __ foot.

Things weren't any better outside. In football, they'd send him in at LEFT __ end and held be RIGHT __. In baseball, they'd yell "NORMAN __, move to your LEFT __, ,he'd move to the RIGHT __.

Poor NORMAN __. No matter what he did, it wasn't RIGHT __ or LEFT __. But NORMAN __ was determined! Finally, he figured out what to do. He called it THIS __ and "THAT __". THIS __ was for RIGHT __ and "THAT __" was for LEFT __. Somehow it all seemed easier. And in no time, he had it down pat. One day, while NORMAN __ was home alone, a burglar forced his way in. NORMAN __ was frightened! The burglar asked where his mother's jewels and furs were. NORMAN __ said, "In the closet". But when the burger said "Which was is THAT __?", NORMAN __, of course, answered "LEFT __". The burglar followed these instructions and found himself in the kitchen. Being a smart burglar, he said "'THIS __ isn't RIGHT __". And NORMAN __ said, "Oh, yes it is, but you asked for THAT __."

The burglar became angry and said: "Now listen. I asked where the closet is. Do you understand THAT __? NORMAN __ answered, "Oh yes, THAT __ is LEFT __. The burglar said " THIS __ is enough!" And NORMAN __ said, Oh no. THIS __ is RIGHT __." Exasperated, the burglar said "'Oh, forget it! Just tell me where the closet is!" And NORMAN __ said, "Turn THIS __. But naturally the burglar misunderstood and turned the knob on the door in front of him, and he plunged headlong down the basement stairs.

Just then, NORMAN __'s parents came home, and when he told them what had happened, his father said the words he'd been waiting so very, very long to hear, "NORMAN __ you're a GENIUS __!
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