Mr. Stewer's Stew

Question 1:    How can you use the attached story?

This story is very rich with inspiring content that teach ample lessons based on a simple analogy. This story can be applied in teaching about the importance of love for diversity, unity, and support. In particular, it is very applicable when a person such as a counselor wants to reinstate peace among individuals who turn their back against each other. Also, it can be used to counsel tribes that frequently hold their arms against each other, cultures which deems others unimportant or insignificant and students who selfishly fails to intermingle with peer students because they feel complete and successful academically even without the support of others (Lafair, 2014). Like the Stewer's stew, which required a variety of ingredients to be flavored, a man requires others to be complete and successful. Acknowledging and respecting other people opinions, ideas and support, however, little it may seem may add up to one’s completeness. Applying this story, a counselor successfully compels people to be accommodative, interactive, respectful, appreciative and considerate of each other since the world would make no sense if one were completely alone (Hess, Magnuson & Beeler, 2012).

Question 2:    With what age group would you use this story?

This analogy can be shared with several groups of people no matter their ages.  For instance, a school counselor or a teacher may use it to teach respect for students. A typical case is when the bright students seem reluctant to join a discussion groups with average students or those with slow cognitive abilities with regards to mathematical subjects (Lafair, 2014). The teacher would use this story to explain the essence of selflessness since different students are of different capabilities.   A student may not be strong in scientific subjects but brilliant in humanities. In another case, adolescent students may tend to develop other cultural barriers based on skin complexion (whites and Hispanics/blacks). The story would effectively serve to express the benefits of intermingling as one’s capability goes beyond cultural or racial bounds (Hess, Magnuson & Beeler, 2012).

 Though simple, the story could also be told to adults who do not merge well with others due to physical differences, financial backgrounds or status, academic qualifications and other stereotypes that throttle their respect and love for others leading to a low acknowledgment of a certain individuals or caliber of people. This simple analogy could teach them about the benefits of diversity because different people possess different gifts, and if unity could be given a chance, the sky would be the only limit to the admirable results.

Question 3:    What other means could you use to teach respect for all people?

Apart from using a story, another means I could use to teach respect are rewarding. I would use my personal observation to identify respectful students each month and in an open meeting reward them accordingly. I would explain to the rest the reason they were selected, which would give me the opportunity to explain the meaning and characteristics of respectful people.  Another method is command and punishment. Here a child who shows disrespect is punished which teaches here and the onlookers that respect is mandatory (Lafair, 2014).

Question 4:    How does this story teach respect for diversity?

Diversity refers to the acceptance and acknowledgment of the uniqueness of people and recognition of individual differences as important as a source of human strength. In this story, the author uses the stew’s ingredients to represent the different people in the society. Thus, the onion, the potato, the carrots, the cabbage, asparagus, artichokes, and meat represent the different people of the world. The different colors and tastes of these items represent the different characteristics and capabilities of people. The complaints of the potato when the Stewer attempts to add any of the items represents the deniability of people towards others who are not like them. The lacks of flavor represent the effect of low unity between people while the good flavor represents the effect of respect of each other’s contribution or diversity (Hess, Magnuson & Beeler, 2012).  

References

Hess R., Magnuson S. & Beeler L.(2012). Counseling Children and Adolescents in Schools.NY: Sage Publication

Lafair S.(2014). Unique: How Story Sparks Diversity, Inclusion, and Engagement. CEO Publishing(Lafair, 2014)

Sherry Roberts is the author of this paper. A senior editor at MeldaResearch.Com in graduate paper writing service if you need a similar paper you can place your order from custom research paper writing service.