The Fables of Boris: Invitations to Meaningful Conversations - Softcover

Bellingham, Richard

Softcover

ISBN 10: 144016245X ISBN 13: 9781440162459

Verlag: iUniverse, 2009

Inhaltsangabe

Just one more Boris story This was the nightly plea I heard from my daughter just before bedtime. It meant another opportunity for me to conjure up a tale based on her experiences and my imagination that might help her sort through a question from her day. Boris is a mythical character, a dog that happens to be experiencing the same life challenges as Rebecca did when she was eight to ten years old and every problem seemed like an overwhelming conundrum, or at least a terrific drama opportunity. While Boris initially had the same feelings and thoughts as Rebecca, he was always able to find the possible solutions that existed, no matter how hopeless the situation appeared through the eyes of a young girl. The Boris fables are beloved because they are entertaining and also enable children to get a little distance from their concerns. They can get a new perspective on their world without feeling that they are being lectured to or that "parental advice" is being imposed. Boris is the perfect medium to share "un-discussable topics" and to discover creative solutions to problems. Most importantly, the stories serve as a stimulus for engaging in meaningful conversation about important life issues.

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Über die Autorin bzw. den Autor

Richard Bellingham earned a BA in marketing, an MA in counseling, and a EdD in counseling psychology, all from Western Michigan University. He has written more than a dozen books on leadership, wellness, and change as well as being a successful keynote speaker. He lives in Summit, New Jersey.

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The Fables of Boris

Invitations to Conversations between Children and Their MentorsBy Richard Bellingham

iUniverse, Inc.

Copyright © 2009 Richard Bellingham
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4401-6245-9

Contents

Acknowledgments..................................................................viiIntroduction.....................................................................ixChapter 1: Boris's New Life Starts with a Thud...................................3Chapter 2: Boris Settles in to His New Neighborhood..............................9Chapter 3: Boris Finds a Wise Friend.............................................15Chapter 4: Boris Breaks the Rules................................................21Chapter 5: Boris Assesses His Current Life.......................................25Chapter 6: Boris Makes a Plan....................................................31Chapter 7: Boris Contemplates Freedom............................................37Chapter 8: Boris Connects to a Higher Purpose....................................43Chapter 9: Boris Recalls His Early Puppyhood.....................................47Chapter 10: Boris Clears His Mind and Thinks Positively..........................51Chapter 11: Boris Helps Create Peace.............................................57Chapter 12: Boris Discovers the Problem with Relationships.......................63Chapter 13: Boris Manages His Impulses...........................................69Chapter 14: Boris Expects Better from Himself....................................73Chapter 15: Boris Advocates for Gratitude........................................79Chapter 16: Boris Learns How to Learn............................................85Chapter 17: Boris Considers Himself in the Mirror................................89Chapter 18: Boris Meditates......................................................95Chapter 19: Boris Sizes Up His Friends...........................................99Chapter 20: Boris Believes He Can Fly............................................103Chapter 21: Boris Learns about Leadership........................................109Chapter 22: Boris Makes a Soul...................................................115Chapter 23: Boris Tries to Inspire Others........................................121Chapter 24: Boris Teams Up with His Friends......................................125Chapter 25: Boris Catches Himself Stretching the Truth...........................131Chapter 26: Boris Wakes Up.......................................................135Chapter 27: Boris Moves Up the Scale.............................................139Chapter 28: Boris Gets It Together...............................................143Chapter 29: Boris Takes a Risk...................................................147Chapter 30: Boris Shows Compassion...............................................153Chapter 31: Boris Takes the Initiative...........................................159Chapter 32: Boris Suffers a Loss.................................................165Chapter 33: Boris Discovers the Importance of Doubt..............................169Chapter 34: Boris Lightens Up....................................................175Chapter 35: Boris Adjusts His Expectations.......................................179Chapter 36: Boris Learns to Appreciate Differences...............................183Chapter 37: Boris Finds the Courage to Act.......................................189Chapter 38: Boris Practices Diplomacy............................................193Chapter 39: Boris Celebrates a Milestone.........................................199Chapter 40: Boris Becomes a Role Model...........................................205Chapter 41: Boris Asks Hard Questions............................................209Chapter 42: Boris Digs for His Biological Roots..................................213Chapter 43: Boris Creates Community..............................................219Chapter 44: Boris Is Content.....................................................225Chapter 45: Boris Shares His Love................................................229Chapter 46: Boris Reflects on His Transformation.................................233Chapter 47: Boris Centers Himself................................................237Chapter 48: Boris Talks Straight.................................................241Chapter 49: Boris Thanks Zelda...................................................245Chapter 50: Boris Faces His Own Death............................................249Epilogue: Boris Gets a Namesake..................................................251The Fables of Boris Live On......................................................253Appendix: An overview of learning objectives and life skills.....................255

Chapter One

Boris's New Life Starts with a Thud

"Boris, you're a sweet puppy, and we love you, but there are just too many mouths to feed in this family. We're going to have to drop you off in a nice neighborhood and hope you are able to find a kind family who will take you in."

The puppy's owner, a young woman with three kids and several other pets, had just lost her job. She opened the car door and dropped Boris gently to the ground. She had placed a name tag around Boris's neck with a note attached saying, "Boris is looking for a good home. I hope you will give him one."

In a choked-up voice and with teary eyes, she said, "Good luck, little puppy. We know you are a special dog and you will find your way. We will miss you."

Thud-Boris was on his own.

Boris, only two months old and looking like a brown, curly fur ball, felt his legs tremble. His eyes grew wide as he checked out his new surroundings: open fields, huge trees, a large hill, a beautiful lake, and tall weeds. He started walking carefully along the road looking for a friendly face. Boris was faced with his first choice in this new, suddenly scary and uncertain life. He could cross the major highway and head up a small hill to where he saw a big, brick building, or he could start walking down a steep road that led to a gorgeous, blue lake in the distance.

As he stared across the highway toward the building uphill, a huge truck whizzed past. All Boris could see from his little body on the ground were giant wheels spinning dangerously and throwing stones. It didn't take him long to make his choice. Like a magnet, Boris felt the pull of the cool, blue waters.

As Boris stumbled down the hill, calming his heart and steadying his paws, he passed by a large, red farmhouse with fenced-in fields and several small houses set away from the road. Halfway to the lake, Boris felt a flea on his back. Soon he was spinning around in circles trying to gnaw the irritating pest away.

"Ahh, I got it!" Boris sighed with relief once he'd scared the bug away. "But now I need to get back to my task." Not seeing any inviting signs, like playing children, abandoned toys, or food on a porch, Boris continued his search. His quest for something more in life had begun.

Being alone in a strange place made Boris nervous, but calming his fears, he felt more and more sure-footed as he trotted down the hill. As the lake came into clearer focus, so did his thoughts and feelings. Pausing at the bottom of the hill and surveying his surroundings, Boris gave himself permission to hope for an exciting new life in this unknown place. He admired the scenery before him: windblown fields to his right that stretched for what seemed like miles before they ran up to a dense,...

Details zur Ausgabe

• Verlag: iUniverse
• Erscheinungsdatum: 2009
• Sprache: Englisch
• ISBN 10: 144016245X
• ISBN 13: 9781440162459
• Einband: Taschenbuch
• Anzahl der Seiten: 280
• Kontakt zum Hersteller: Nicht verfügbar
• Verantwortliche Person: KreGa Onlinehandel GmbH; 4950000000000; info@krega-onlinehandel.de; ; Birkenweg 31; Brakel; 33034; Deutschland