Stories to Stretch the Mind and Heart

By Rev. Dr. Karen L. Holgersen

I had the honor to teach elementary school in three states and in three countries.
In my thirty years of teaching, I told true life stories to pass on wisdom and truth to my students.
This book is a compilation of some of the humor and courage themed favorites I have shared over the years.
This book was written to bring a smile to your lips and hope to your heart.
May these stories help to illuminate the wisdom and truth in your own life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Balboa Press
• Release date: Nov 2, 2021
• ISBN: 9781982274160

Rev. Dr. Karen L. Holgersen

Karen grew up in northern California and walked through a redwood forest from school every day to her grandmother’s house. (True!) Her grandmother would greet her and her siblings with a snack and listen to the school events of the day. There was much to listen to as she attended a progressive learning lab school from third to eighth grades called College Elementary School. Designed after the ideals of John Dewey, the educational curriculum was project-based and authentic. Thus, she developed a love of nature and learning from childhood. She went on to get her A.A. in Sociology, her B.S. in Biology, her M.A. in School Leadership, and her earned doctorate in 2017 in Educational Leadership, Management, and Policy. Although trained to be a school system superintendent, she stayed in the elementary classroom and taught upper elementary students for thirty years. She was known for her respect and love for her students and for her creative teaching style and projects.

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Copyright © 2021 Rev. Dr. Karen L. Holgersen.

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ISBN: 978-1-9822-7417-7 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-9822-7418-4 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-9822-7416-0 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2021918994

Balboa Press rev. date:   09/24/2021

DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to all my students,

with much love and respect.

CONTENTS

Dedication

Preface

Introduction

HUMOROUS STORIES

The Bunny Trap

My Best Mermaid Impression

An American in Paris

Hi, Ho, Silver Away!

Splat!

A New Fashion

Boo Boo’s Boo Boo

Boo Boo Did What?

Please Take a Seat

She Went by in a Flash

COURAGEOUS STORIES

A Flying Leap

A Song of Courage

She Went Thump

The Eye of the Needle

A Rocky Experience

See You Around the Bend: A Bonus Story

Life Lessons Summary

PREFACE

The wise elders of a village or tribe would often teach the young through storytelling. Important cultural and societal norms would be passed on to the next generation through this method.

As an elementary school teacher, I discovered that my students really seemed to enjoy the storytelling experience. From time-to-time, I