Flannel Friday: Five Owls in a Tree

"Five Owls in a Tree" pattern and story are from Kidstuff Magazine Volume 5, Number 8. I've used this story for several years. I like to use it for tours, because the teachers can help hold the stick puppets. When one owl went missing, I decided to flannelize it.

The Original

"Five Owls in a Tree"

There were once five owls,

High in the trees.

Who were hooting to each other,

Just as loud as you please!

CHORUS

The big owls said, "Whooo." (group says who)

The next one did, too. (group says who)

The third one said, "Whooo." (group says who)

The fourth did, too. (group says who)

But the smallest said, "Tweeeet!"

The first four looked and shook their heads, "You should say what the rest of us said!"

CHORUS

But the smallest said, "Chirp!"

"You must try to learn to hoot the right way.

You'll just have to practice all night and all day!"

CHORUS

But the smallest said, "Chip!"

He did what they asked.

He knew that he should.

He practiced all night.

In the cold quiet woods.

CHORUS

But the smallest said, "Caw, caw!"

He tried his very best, even when it started to rain.

(use spray bottle to spritz children)

But on the next day, his nose started to drain!

CHORUS

"Sniff, sniff, sniff," said the smallest.

They shook their heads and their wings got rather floppy.

"If you would just come close that would make us very happy!"

CHORUS

Then the smallest said, "Ah-ah-achooooo!"

Read it Again! has the rest of the round-up.