ClassX Video Lessons Grade Grade 2 The Boy Who Tried to Shrink His Name | A story about coming into yourself
Hi everyone! Welcome back to the Storytime Family. How are you today? Did you have a fun day? Are you ready to enjoy a story with us? Today, we have a special book called “The Boy Who Tried to Shrink His Name” by Sanya Parapukharan and Michelle Pereira. Let’s dive into the story!
Once upon a time, there was a boy named Zimdala Mashka Mishkara. His name was long and tricky, like shoelaces that always come undone. On his first day at a new school, he wished for a shorter name, one that was easy to say.
At school, a girl named Ellie asked, “What’s your name?” Zimdala tried to make his name smaller, but it popped back like a pufferfish! In class, Miss Clarity asked everyone to pair up. Zimdala crumpled his name into a ball and turned to Ellie. When she asked how to spell it, his name exploded like thunder!
Later, Miss Clarity asked for volunteers. Zimdala folded his name over and over before raising his hand. But when Miss Clarity asked him to say his name again, it unfolded back to its full size!
After school, Ellie invited Zimdala to the park. She called him “Zim,” and he thought maybe he could change his name. At home, he asked his mom if he could be called Zim. She reminded him that his name was special, like the tall coconut trees that hold up the sky. She said, “Give people a chance to say it right.”
Zimdala took a deep breath, stood tall, and went to the park. Ellie showed him how to skate. He tried and tried, but kept falling. Each day, Ellie helped him get better. Slowly, Zimdala learned to skate higher and higher.
At home, Zimdala’s mom made sweet treats with coconut and palm sugar. Ellie joined them, and they all enjoyed the yummy snacks together.
Finally, one day, Zimdala skated all the way around the ramp! Everyone cheered, “Go Zim, you did it!” Ellie shouted his full name, “Zimdala Mashka Mishkara,” and he felt proud.
This story teaches us that we don’t have to change who we are to fit in. We should be proud of our names and who we are!
Now, let’s explore another story called “You Be You” by Richard Brim and Rogerio Coelho.
In a magical house at the edge of the wild, a master painter waits for you. It’s your special day! The painter asks, “What’s your name?” You feel shy and can’t answer. But a voice inside says, “Shout your name out loud! Be proud of who you are!”
The painter gives you a brush and a big canvas. You can paint anything you want! At first, you feel nervous, but then you start having fun. You splash colors everywhere!
The painter isn’t impressed, but you keep going. You realize this is your life, and you can paint it however you like. You feel excited and happy, ready to explore new adventures.
This story reminds us to be ourselves and not let anyone hold us back. We should dream big and be proud of our choices!
We hope you enjoyed these stories! Remember, always be proud of who you are and have fun learning new things. See you next time for more exciting stories!
Name Art: Create a colorful name art project! Write your full name on a large piece of paper. Use crayons, markers, or colored pencils to decorate each letter with patterns, shapes, or pictures that represent things you love or that are special to you. Share your artwork with your family or friends and explain why each decoration is meaningful to you.
Name Stories: Ask your family about the story behind your name. Why did they choose it? Does it have a special meaning or history? Write a short story or draw a picture about what you learned. Share your story with your class or friends and listen to their name stories too!
Name Game: Play a fun game with your classmates or family. Take turns saying each other’s names in funny voices or accents. Try saying them slowly, quickly, or even singing them! This helps everyone practice saying names correctly and makes learning names fun and memorable.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the provided YouTube transcript:
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[Music]
Hi everyone! Welcome back to the Storytime Family. How are you today? Have you had a fun day? Did you have lots of good things to eat today? Are you feeling energetic and playful, or do you feel like you are ready to settle down with this book called “The Boy Who Tried to Shrink His Name”?
This book is by Sanya Parapukharan and Michelle Pereira. Let’s get started, shall we?
**The Boy Who Tried to Shrink His Name**
My name is Zimdala Mashka Mishkara. It trips me up every morning, like long shoelaces that always come undone. It’s my first day at a new school, and I need a shorter name—one that I can throw in the air and catch with a single hand. I want to shrink my name in the dryer on a super-hot double cycle before the bus arrives.
“Hi, I’m Ellie. What’s your name?”
My name springs back to life like a scared pufferfish at school. Poof! In class, Miss Clarity fills the board with sums. “Buddy up,” she says. I crumple my name into a tight ball and turn to Ellie. She writes down her name and asks me how to spell mine. Bang! My name explodes like a crack of thunder.
After recess, Miss Clarity calls for lunchtime bin monitors. I fold my name horizontally, then vertically a million times before raising my hand. Miss Clarity smiles. “Can you say your name again?” It unfolds to its original size like origami in reverse.
When the last bell rings, I push past the laughter, squish through the sideways glances, and bump into Ellie at the gate. “Come to the park if you like to skate.”
“It’s Zim, right?”
“Yes,” I say firmly, finally shrinking my name. My name is Zim. As soon as I get home, I ask Mom if I can change my name to Zim. Her eyes move from swirling curry to mine. “We named you after the coconut trees that stretch high and hold up the sky while sheltering all underneath,” she says. “Give people a chance to say it right.”
A deep breath helps me stand up tall and grab my board. I roll out of the house and into the park.
“Hey, Zim!” yells Ellie.
My voice whispers, “It’s…” then I stop. She drops into the ramp and turns at the top. “Wow! How did you learn that?” I ask.
“Practice,” Ellie shrugs. She shows me where to step on the board and how to start the trick. Copying Ellie, I press my foot down and tumble into the ramp.
“Are you okay, Zim?”
“Yes, um, it’s Simdela,” I start off my name. I ride the ramp slowly, not reaching full height. Ellie shows me how to make the turn. I try and topple over.
“Zimdala Mashka,” I stretch out my name further for Ellie. Ellie walks me home, and Mom calls out to pick some banana leaves. My eyes turn red when Mom says my name, but Ellie is already tearing off the strippy green leaves.
Each day, Ellie helps me creep higher and higher. I lift my wheels to turn, only to tumble over again. “Zimdala Mashka,” I extend my name a little more. At home, Mom has rice flour dough ready and invites Ellie in. Ellie’s eyes widen at the coconut snowflakes falling onto the plate. Mom mixes the snow with crumbled palm sugar.
Ellie and I go to the park every day. Other kids from school join us. I can make the turn now, but my landings are still wobbly. “Zimdala Mashka,” I almost unfolded my whole name. Back home, we spread dough over banana leaves like Mom does. Ellie sprinkles sweet snow on one side. Mom closes the parcel like a book and cooks it on the heat.
We sit around the table munching on soft, sweet treats. We keep practicing again and again. Then one day, I go full circle. Everyone yells and cheers, “Go Zim, you did it!” Ellie swoops down beside me and calls out, “His name is Zimdala Mashka Mishkara.”
And that was “The Boy Who Tried to Shrink His Name.” Wasn’t that a beautiful story? It just goes to show you don’t have to change yourself to fit other people’s expectations. All you have to do is be confident in yourself, have faith, and be proud of who you are.
I hope you enjoyed this book! If you’d like to own a copy, the links to purchase it are in our description below. Give us a like if you enjoyed this book and subscribe if you haven’t. Thank you so much for taking the time to read with us. We’ll see you back here soon. Take care! Bye!
[Music]
Now, let’s check out “You Be You” by Richard Brim and Rogerio Coelho.
[Music]
In a whispery house at the edge of the wild, the master painter awaits you. It’s your day—don’t be late! He looks you over head to toe, then sniffs and sighs. “Another of these,” he says, and asks real close, “What’s your name?”
You stumble and stammer, tongue twisted and tied. It’s the simplest of questions—why can’t you reply? A voice in your head whispers in your ear, “Shout your name out to the sun! Sing it loud, say it clear. You’ll be you!”
Your name hangs there, not leaving your tongue. No answer says the master. “This way, come!” The master points to a brush, a bucket, and a ladder. Then he hurries along, leaving them there for you.
He barges down hallways, around corners, and upstairs. He comes to a room at the top and nods. You’re in there. Inside, you behold a great canvas of life. Anything is possible! Grab your brush, make a choice.
The canvas is big and imposing, a great expanse and bright white—daunting for sure. You stare at the canvas, scratch your head, and ponder. Maybe a stick figure right here in the corner?
The old master shudders and sweeps out the door. You laugh out loud—painting is fun! Let’s do more! A splash of this, a splish of that—get covered in the stuff.
“You be you, don’t hold back!” The master inspects your work, eyebrow arched high. “So disappointing,” he says and rolls his eyes. With a wave of his hand, your painting vanishes in a poof. He sweeps from the room, and you choke on his dust.
You’re mad—so mad you can’t do what you want. You blame the poor canvas for every little fault. You charge headfirst, determined to destroy. He sees you coming and knows what you’ll try. It bounces you away like a trampoline. Off you fly!
You can’t stop. In frustration and despair, you tear a hole in the canvas—a terrible hole you can never repair. You cover it up with old boards and glue. You paint around it, but nothing will do.
You peer into the dark, frightened and blue. There are old sad eyes staring back at you. Then a troll slithers in and wolves at your heels. Such yelling and howling—you’re paralyzed, it’s true.
Where did you go wrong? What can you do? The monsters are coming—they’re coming up fast! Take hold of something, or they’ll get you at last.
You look down to find the brush in your hand. Why, this is your life you’re painting! These are your choices now. So hop, scotch, skidoo, and send them all home.
Your time has come—dream large, head high. Nothing can hold you back! Spread your wings and fly. You’re flush and excited, beaming with life. Open the doorsteps into the light.
There it is—your painting, the most beautiful of all. Such adventures you’ve had, and so many more to come. You hear a soft jiggling like the ringing of bells.
It’s the old hall itself and the paintings on the walls. “What’s your name?” they whisper as your words echo around. “What’s your name? What’s your name? What’s your name?”
You smile, yes you do, because you’ve got it now. Shout it out to the sun! Sing it loud, say it proud. “You be you! You be you! You be you!”
And that was “You Be You.” How did you like the book? Leave us a comment and tell us what you think of it!
[Music]
If you haven’t, do subscribe for more stories like this and give us a like! If you’d like a copy of this book, the links are in the description below. Until we see you back here again, take care of yourself and your family. Bye-bye!
[Music]
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Feel free to let me know if you need any further modifications!
