Moon creatures dancing and leaving patterns on mud walls
Dancing On Walls
Dancing On Walls
Average Rating: 5.0
Country: India
Ages: 5-8
Author: Shamim Padamsee
Publisher: Tulika Books
Illustrator: Uma Krishnaswamy

About The Story

Set in a small tribal village in India, this story follows young Shirvi, who decides to surprise her parents by preparing the house for the upcoming Harvest Festival. As she works under the magical full moon, moon beings descend to Earth—they come each year to enjoy the flowers, trees, and birds, which are absent on the moon. When one of the moon creatures falls into the river and starts drowning (because moon creatures can't swim!), Shirvi courageously saves it. In gratitude, the moon folk help her clean the house and begin to celebrate with music and dance. When they're disturbed by a human's presence, they leap onto the freshly plastered mud walls, leaving behind intricate patterns—and so, the origin of Warli art is born. The story is a magical fusion of folklore and science: exploring tribal art traditions while weaving in lunar imagination and natural curiosity.

Themes

Culture & Tradition
Steam

Sub Themes

Tribal and folk traditions
Warli art
Imagination and fantasy
Science through storytelling

Parent-Teacher Guide

Learning Outcome

  • Learn about the unique Warli art. Understand how folk art represents everyday tribal life and imagination.
  • Reflect on how scientific thinking (e.g., moon conditions, swimming) can be explored through stories.
  • Recognize that creative expression and innovation exist in every culture and community.
  • Appreciate kindness, courage, and the joy of helping others.

Lesson Plan

  • This lesson explores the intersection of tribal storytelling, cultural art forms, and basic science concepts using a playful and engaging folktale.

Activities

  • Moon and Earth Science Talk: Discuss gravity, air, water, and life on the moon. If moon people existed, why will they not know how to swim?
  • Create Your Own Warli Wall: Children draw their own Warli-style images using simple shapes to depict everyday life.
  • Tribal Art Around the World: Explore other forms of folk and tribal art (Aboriginal, San, Native American, Madhubani, Patachitra, etc.) and how they tell stories.
  • Fantasy Meets Science Poster: Draw or write about what moon visitors might love about Earth and what they’d be surprised by.
  • Dance of Gratitude: Learn a simple tribal dance.

Story Discussion Guide

Before reading

  • What do you know about the moon? Do you think anything grows or lives there?
  • Have you ever seen pictures of tribal or folk art? What did they depict?

During reading

  • Why did Shirvi want to surprise her parents?
  • Who were the moon visitors? What did they like about Earth?
  • What happened when one of them fell into the river?

After reading

  • Why do you think the moon beings left patterns on the wall?
  • Can stories be a way of explaining art or science?
  • What do you think the story tells us about imagination?

Applicable Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 4: Quality Education

Encourages integrated learning through art, storytelling, and science.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

Celebrates Indigenous culture and rural community life

Comments

Comments (2)

  • The students had a wonderful time listening to the story. They had previously learned about Worli art in our last unit, so reading this book was very enjoyable for them. They used their imagination to think that the little stick figures could be aliens or special people from the moon. They also related it to the learner profile attributes of caring. After the story, they did a character analysis of the main character and engaged in a VTR learning of See Think Wonder.

    Pooja Bhattacharya
  • Good Read

    Kundan

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