In short...
Themes: Sanatana Dharma; teamwork; compassion; empathy; respect.
Summary: This assembly, which is suitable for an act of collective worship, focuses on a story from the Hindu tradition which tells of the competing Asuras and Devas, who ask the Creator, Lord Brahma, âWho is the best?â
Resources: ; an image to display . Also be ready to display the image of and / or some building blocks. You might also like to source a large empty cardboard roll which can easily fit a childâs arm, but will not allow them to bend at the elbow. See the video for context.
The video
JONAH: Hello, I'm Jonah and this is the amazing story of the two armies who fought to see who was best.
In the mountains of the universe, a great battle was taking place between two heavenly families â the Asuras and the Devas.
TEAMS: [GROWL]
JONAH: They fought for so long, that they were exhausted. Both sides were tired of fighting. So, they each prayed to the great creator Lord Brahma. "Lord Brahma," they said, "please, end this terrible war. Please tell us which side is the strongest and the best."
The Lord Brahma heard their prayers and saw how tired they were. So, he invited them all to a feast.
KIDS: Wow!
JONAH: But Brahma said, "Before you can eat, you must have straight arms, so I will make sure they can't bend." I've got just the thing. Here we have a way for you to not move your arms.
But with their arms out straight, they couldn't get the food into their mouths. The Asuras struggled and struggled. The Devas were also unable to put food into their mouths, but they noticed that their friends couldn't either.
They said, "I can't feed myself, but I can feed you." And so, the Devas used their straightened arms to feed each other until everyone was full.
But the Asuras were still tired and hungry.
STORY NARRATOR: The Lord Brahma said, "I'll tell you who the best army isâŠ"
JONAH: "âŠThe Devas are the best and the strongest because they are united. They looked after each other as a team, instead of just thinking about themselves. Their strength is in their togetherness, in their teamwork, in their unity."
Thanks for helping me tell this treasure story. It was an old Hindu tale. I'll see you again next time.
ALL: Bye!
This story is from the Hindu tradition, from the Puranas linked with avatars of Vishnu.
The Asuras and Devas were all born from the Creator, Brahma, but have been in endless battles with each other. One day they approach Brahma to find out who is the best. Brahma invites them for a meal the next day, when he will give them his answer. One side dined on the Eastern Side and the other on the Western Side, so they couldnât actually see each other. Just before the food was served, Brahma made it so that their hands couldnât reach their mouths (shown in the video with cardboard tubes). Eventually the Devas worked out that they could feed each other, so they worked together as a team. Meanwhile the Asuras went tired and hungry.
Brahma explained that those who think about themselves will never be happy but those who care for others will find peace and are the best. This can help us to reflect on the value of teamwork.
Video questions
- What does it mean to show togetherness? (Working together; thinking of others before yourself; completing a task together; being part of the same team)
- Why do you think it was better to be part of a united team? (Devas helped each other and in doing so they succeeded, rather than acting as individuals like the Asuras)
- Why did Brahma say that the Devas were the better army? (They thought of others; worked together; showed compassion; and shared a joint aim)
- How are the children in the video showing that they are in a great team? (Taking it in turns; feeding each other; being patient)
Key links
Download / print the assembly framework ready for use
Click to display image full size
Click to display image full size
Suggested framework
1. Entry
Display the image of geese in V formation (see Key links). As the children enter, ask some to use the building blocks to build a basic wall. Each child needs a specific job to do, so that they will demonstrate teamwork.
2. Introduction
Once children are settled ask them how both these examples demonstrate teamwork. What is teamwork? What is great teamwork? What would be your top five tips for great teamwork (eg communication, leadership, thinking of others, shared vision, taking it in turns, etc). Explain that they are now going to watch a video of a story that will demonstrate great teamwork.
3. Play the video
The duration is 3' 06" and the final words are: âI'll see you again next time. Bye!'
4. After the video: Time to talk
Lead a discussion with the assembly relating the video to the childrenâs own experiences:
- What activities do pupils do in teams?
- Which skills are they developing and which are they finding tricky?
- How do you get better at these skills?
- Look at the example of the geese in more detail. Think about how they support each other, how they take it in turn to lead, fly in a V formation to make it easier for the ones behind, how they have a shared goal for migration.
- Think back to the story of the Asuras and Devas. What can we learn from that story?
5. Opportunity to sing:
Suggestions from ±«Óătv collections below.
6. Opportunity to reflect
Think about your favourite team activity. It might be a sports team, a game you like to play with friends, working on a piece of art with a group, or any ideas of your own. What are the teamwork skills that the activity needs�
Are you a good team player?
How can you be an even better member of a team?
Think about other members in your team for a moment. What could you do for them?
Sometimes working as a team can be hard; sometimes you have to be patient; take turns and listen to others. You just need to keep working together and keep looking out for one another.
7. Opportunity for prayer:
Begin with your usual form of address (âDear Godâ, âLet us prayâ, etc) and:
Thank you for the opportunities which we have to work in teams and to spend time with our friends.
Thank you that we are all different and have different skills to bring to our teams.
Help us to be great team players, to always support each other, take it in turns and to work hard to achieve our goals.
Amen.
Suggested songs
'All together as a family' (All about our school, no 15).
Some can dance and some can sing,
Some can fiddle on a violin.
Some can bat and some can bowl,
Some can tackle and score a goal.
Some can paint and some can sew,
Some can juggle and some can throw.
Some can throw, some can throw.
All that we can do or be
All together as a family.
All together as a family.
All together as a family.
All together as a family.
Some can run and some can swim,
Some do somersaults in the gym.
Some can ride or climb a tree,
Some are good at technology.
Some can teach and some can guide,
Some get everybody organised.
Organised, organised.
All that we can do or be
All together as a family.
All together as a family.
One for all and all for one,
All together we get things done.
We get things done.
All that we can do or beâŠ
spoken 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
All together as a family.
'Build up' (All about our school, no 12)
Verse 1:
Every word you say, (wo-oh)
Every game you play, (wo-oh)
Every silly face, (wo-oh)
Every single place, (wo-oh)
You can build up,
spoken 1, 2, 3, 4, 5!
Or you can tear down.
Chorus:
Build up one another,
Build up your sisters and brothers,
Build up one another,
Build up!
Verse 2:
Every joke you tell, (wo-oh)
Every name you spell, (wo-oh)
Everywhere you go, (wo-oh)
Everyone you know, (wo-oh)
You can build up,
spoken 1, 2, 3, 4, 5!
Or you can tear down.
Chorus:
Build up one another,
Build up your sisters and brothers,
Build up one another,
Build up!
Build up!
Build up!
'Our school' - All about our school, no 9 (© Kate Walker / ±«Óătv)
In our school
We work together,
Yes, in our school
We try to help each other
Make our school
A happy place to be.In our school
We think of others,
Yes, in our school
We try to help each other
Make our school
A happy place to be.In our school
We make good friends,
Yes, in our school
We try to help each other
Make our school
A happy place to be.In our school
We work together,
Yes, in our school
We try to help each other
Make our school
A happy place to be.
In our school
A happy place to be!