November 16, 2025 | Interactive Storytelling | Shree Nandi Ratri Secondary School, Kathmandu

An interactive storytelling session titled Looking for a Pond was conducted for Class 5 students of Shree Nandi Ratri Secondary School, Kathmandu. This session was part of the storytelling workshop series organized by the Lions Club of Kathmandu Couples, an initiative aimed at promoting reading culture and nurturing a love for stories among students in government schools.

About the Story

Looking for a Pond is an adaptation of the book It’s My Pond by Claire Garralon, thoughtfully adapted into a participatory performance by Bansri Pandey. The story follows ducks searching for a pond they can call their own, only to face rejection and exclusion from others who refuse to share. Through this simple yet powerful narrative, children explore themes of belonging, sharing, empathy, and coexistence.

A Forum Theatre Experience

Designed using a Forum Theatre approach, this storytelling session moved beyond traditional narration. Every student stepped into the story as a duck, entering an imaginative world. Together, they “travelled” from pond to pond using music and coordinated actions, fully immersing themselves in the journey.

The turning point came when the ducks encountered a conflict—ponds that were not shared. At this moment, the story paused. Instead of offering a ready-made solution, the students discussed, and reflected on what they had experienced. They proposed solutions themselves and then enacted those ideas to see whether they truly worked within the story world. This experiential format allowed participants to feel the dilemma of exclusion and the emotional weight of conflict.

The Setting and Students’ Engagement

The classroom transformed into a lively and energetic story space, filled with coordinated movement and animated discussion. Students eagerly took part in role-play, responding to musical cues and interacting enthusiastically with one another. Their expressions shifted from playful excitement during the journey to thoughtful seriousness during the conflict discussions.

This marked the second storytelling workshop in the series at the school, further strengthening the initiative’s goal to make stories active, meaningful, and transformative experiences.

Many Thanks To

• The team of Lions Club of Kathmandu Couples for organizing this meaningful workshop series
• Teachers and students of Shree Nandi Ratri Secondary School, Kathmandu
• Bansri Pandey – Storyteller and Performer
• Himal Bhujel – Photography and Support

We look forward to creating more interactive storytelling journeys that transform classrooms into spaces of imagination and inquiry. If you would like to organize a forum theatre storytelling session for your school or festival, please connect with us through our Contact Us page.