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ISLAND 1
Forlov SCHOOL NAVIGATIONAL GUIDEBOOK
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Forlov (FOR-luv)
Forgiveness Through Love
ENLIGH SUGGESTIONS:
• Webster’s 1828 definition of forgiveness: The act of forgiving; the pardon of an
offender, by which he is considered and treated as not guilty.
• Listen to Forlov the Dolphin . Record your thoughts and impressions. What blessings
or benefits come through forgiveness?
• Read through the dolphin facts . After reading the dolphin facts and listening to
the song, how could you liken the dolphin to forgiveness?
• Study the word forgiveness and love in your core books (religious texts and resources,
personal journals, family histories, and any other tools you use to teach values or truth).
Are there videos, pictures, or other resources you could use to share these stories and
teachings with your class?
HOW TO USE FORLOV
RESULTS FROM APPLYING FORLOV
• Forgive myself and those I have allowed to
intentionally or unintentionally offend, hurt,
or disappoint me.
• Never harbor bitterness, hurt, or feelings of
ill will.
• Let it go.
• Strengthens the immune system
• Strengthens relationships
• Develops inner peace and harmony
• It is the champion of healing and inner
contentment
Forlov (The Dolphin)
Forgiveness through love leads to inner-contentment. This makes Forlov the champion of
healing.
Teaching Tip
“Example is not the main thing in influencing others, it is the only thing.” ~Albert Schweitzer
We often judge others the way we judge ourselves. If we judge ourselves harshly when we try and
fail, will our children feel safe to risk making difficult changes in their character?
This week, practice being more forgiving of yourself in all aspects of your life. Example is the best
teacher! This patience and compassion for self will spill over in your relationships with others,
creating a safer, and trusting environment, where risks can be taken and change can occur.
Island of Humility Forlov
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READ THE TALE OF HOPE: Read together the Forlov section in The Tale of Hope: Island of
Humility.
LISTEN TO THE SONG: Listen to Forlov the Dolphin. Invite your class to share their
thoughts and impressions.
EXPLORE THE DOLPHIN:
1. Dolphins live in families, called pods. They form very strong bonds with their pods.
2. Dolphins are quick to help others in need. Pods of dolphins have been known to come to
the aid of an injured dolphin and help it to the surface to breathe. There are even stories
of dolphins rescuing humans in danger.
3. Dolphins also have extraordinary abilities to heal themselves. Dolphins can tolerate and
recover from extreme injuries such as shark bites, although the exact methods used to
achieve this are not known.
4. Dolphins are very acrobatic and will often be seen leaping out of the water and
performing tricks.
5. What else can you learn about dolphins?
PONDER:
1. Help your students understand what forgiveness is, and then ask your class: How can you
liken the dolphin to forgiveness? Think about the words in the song.
2. Dolphins live in families called pods; and they form very strong bonds with their pods.
How can forgiveness and love help us to develop strong relationships?
3. Dolphins have extraordinary abilities to heal themselves. How does forgiveness heal
wounded hearts? Can you think of an example?
4. Dolphins are often known for their acrobatic moves, leaping high into the air. In the song,
it says, “See him ride the waves of life, gliding smooth and leaping strife, never in the
harbor of bitter feelings.” What does this phrase mean to you? What does it mean to leap
strife?
Island of Humility Forlov
Teaching Tip
A simple way to find out what your students are learning from a story, without over
questioning, is to invite a student to retell the story back in their own words. Don’t be afraid to
occasionally do this yourself and add a few brief sentences of what you learned or how it made
you feel. Remember to keep it short.
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Forlov Stories
I’m Glad I Forgave Her
by Noelle
This is a story about a little girl named Noelle. She loved animals, all kinds of animals.
She was ten years old when she had this experience. She wants to tell it in her own words:
“For my birthday, my parents got me a parakeet. He was a pretty blue color with black
spots on his cheeks, so I decided to name him Pebbles. I really liked having a parakeet. He would
be happy a lot and make me happy. He liked to sit on people’s heads and he liked to listen to
music.
I had to feed him daily. He lived in a smallish cage in my bedroom. At night I had to put
a blanket over him so he would know when to go to sleep. He was the first parakeet I’d ever had.
He was a great pet and I had lots of fun with him.
One day we had to take him to the vet to get his beak trimmed because it was too long.
While the vet’s assistant was holding Pebbles, she accidently squeezed too tight. He died right
before my eyes. It was a shock to her too. Her eyes were wide and she backed out of the room.
She said she was sorry, but that didn’t help. I felt like it was the worst day of my life.
I was angry at first; but in a few days I realized she probably felt really bad. I had been
upset for several days. I decided to make her a card. I went to the vet and gave it to her. I told her
that I forgave her. I didn’t feel upset or angry anymore. I still sometimes miss him, but I’m glad I
forgave her.”
Noelle did not have peace until she forgave. Forgiveness brought her healing and
contentment. As she began to forgive the vet’s assistant, she could let go of her anger and do
something nice for the person who had hurt her. Noelle found peace.
Island of Humility Forlov
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Coals of Fire
Guy Morgan had inherited from his father a hot temper. One day he came into the house
with an ominous look in his eyes, glanced up quickly at his mother for an instant, and exclaimed:
“I’ve done something for you, mother, that I wouldn’t do for anyone else. I’ve taken a low
without returning it.”
“Oh! Tell mem about it, Guy!”
“It was all Dick Osgood’s fault. I told him he’d got to quit nagging the younger boys, and
that made him mad, and he struck me in the face. I guess that mark of his claws is there now.”
“Oh! Guy, what did you do?”
“I didn’t strike him, mother. I remembered what I’d promised you for this year. He
shouted out ‘coward’ after me. Now you’ve got to let me off my promise mother. I am going
back to thrash him.”
“Better heap coals of fire on his head,” she said quietly.
“Yes! He deserves a good scorching!” said Guy, pretending to misunderstand her.
“No! you don’t know what kind of coals I mean. ‘If thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he
thirst, give him drink; for in so doing ye shall heap coals of fire on his head.’ Try it, Guy. I can’t
let you off your promise.”
“Well, I promised you, and I’ll stick to my word,” said Guy slowly. “But you don’t know
how tough it is.”
On the last day of school, a picnic was given on the banks of the Quassit River. All the
school went, and with Dick Osgood was his little sister Hetty. After dinner on the grass, the boys
and girls scattered in different directions, picking flowers, playing baseball, and fishing off the
banks.
Suddenly a wild cry rose above the sultry stillness of the summer afternoon – Dick
Osgood’s cry: “Hetty’s in the river, and I can’t swim. Oh, save her, save her!”
Before the words left his lips, all saw Guy Morgan running. He unbuttoned his coat and
vest as he ran and threw himself over into the water. He went under, rose again, and struck out
toward the golden head that rose for the second time.
Mr. Sharp, the head teacher, got a rope, and running down the bank, threw it out on the
water just above the falls. The water was dep where Hetty had fallen, and the river ran fast,
sweeping her on. When she rose for the third time, she was near the falls. A moment more and
she would go over. But the third time Guy Morgan caught her by her long glistening hair. Mr.
Sharp shouted to him. He saw the rope and swam toward it, his right arm beating the water, his
left motionless, holding his white burden.
Island of Humility Forlov
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A moment more and he reached the rope, clung to it, and the boys and teacher drew the
two in over the slippery edge out of the seething waters. Both were unconscious, but Guy was
the first to revive.
“Is Hetty safe?” was his first question.
“We are doing our best.” Mr. Sharp answered solemnly.
It was almost half an hour more before Hetty opened her eyes. Dick, who had been
utterly frantic, was beside himself with joy.
Mr. Sharp drove Guy Morgan home, but he got out at the gate for fear his mother would
be alarmed by seeing anyone helping him.
“Where have you been?” she cried, seeing his wet, disordered plight.
“In Quassit River, mother, fishing out Hetty Osgood. I went in after the coals of fire.”
Mrs. Morgan’s laugh was a glad one. “I’ve heard of people smart enough to set the river
on fire,” she said, “but you’re the first one I ever knew who went in after the coals.”
Ethics for Children: A Guide for Teachers and Parents, by Ella Lyman Cabot, (1910).
Additional Books/Stories
• An Awesome Book of Love by Dallas Clayton (Ages 4-up). A book that defines love in
many poetic ways.
• Enemy Pie by Derek Munson (Ages 3-7). A boy discovers that the best way to get rid of
your enemy is to make him your friend.
• The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom (Ages 10-up). Concentration camp survivor,
Corrie ten Boom, tells her remarkable story during WWII and how she was able to
forgive her enemies.
• Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand (Young Adult). The true story of Louis Zamperini, who
was a Japanese prisoner of war during WWII and how he was able to forgive his abusers.
• As I Have Loved You by Kitty De Ruyter (Young Adult). Kitty and her family are taken
to concentration camps during World War II. Kitty learns valuable lessons from her
mother during these difficult times, including the importance of forgiving others.
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Forlov Movies
Les Miserables Incorporated Television Company 1978. Jean Valjean learns about forgiveness
when a bishop inspires him to make a new life despite his many years in prison. Jean Valjean
leaves his criminal life behind and sets out to make a new name for himself.
Cinderella Walt Disney 2015. Although Ella is treated horribly after her father’s death, she is
able to forgive her abusers and be good despite all that is done to her.
The Corrie ten Boom Story World Wide Pictures 1975. Based on the book The Hiding Place.
Concentration camp survivor, Corrie ten Boom, tells her remarkable story during WWII and how
she was able to forgive her enemies.
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Forlov Lesson Ideas Discussion Questions
1. What is one fact you remember about the dolphin and how does it remind you of
forgiveness?
2. Do you have any examples of forgiveness you have read or seen that you would like to
share?
3. Find stories of individuals who were wronged and chose to forgive. How did they show
love toward that individual who wronged them? How did their love heal wounds?
4. Search for stories in your core books of individuals who chose not to forgive. How did
their choices affect them and generations following? Are there videos, pictures, or other
media you can use to share these stories with your class?
5. When have you unintentionally hurt someone? Did you know you caused offense? How
did you seek forgiveness and how did you show forgiveness toward that individual?
When have you been offended? How did you finally forgive and let go?
Song Extensions
• COLOR: Listen to Forlov the Dolphin and invite your class to color the dolphin. How
does this song make you feel?
• DISCUSSION: Listen to the song. What phrases stand out to you? What blessings or
benefits come when forgiveness is shown?
• ACTIVITY: Have your students color and cut out pictures of dolphins. Attach the
dolphins to tongue depressors and let your students “swim” their dolphins around the
room as they listen to the song. Encourage your students to listen to the words leaping,
ride the waves of life, and gliding. Create specific actions for these words.
- What does it mean to “ride the waves of life?” What do the “waves” represent?
• WORD PUZZLES: Do the word search or crossword puzzle while you listen to songs
you have already learned.
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Additional Activities
• TALE OF HOPE DISCUSSION AND ART: In the Tale of Hope: Island of Humility,
Damian lost the compass. Invite someone to retell the story of when Raja met Forlov.
- Invite your class to draw a picture that could represent Raja’s feelings while he
was with Forlov.
• DISCOVERY PROJECT: In Forlov’s song it says, “Never in the harbor of bitter
feelings…. Protects the human body from illness.” Encourage your students to research
the health benefits of those who easily forgive and do not harbor bitter feelings. Have
some students share what they learned.
• OBJECT LESSON: TAKE OFF THE WEIGHT. Forlov teaches us to remember to love
and to let go of ill feelings. This object lesson is designed to show the class how feelings
of anger, sadness, resentment, ill feelings toward others, and bitterness weigh us down;
and when we let go of these feelings, how much better we feel—inside and out.
- Have a student come up and stand before you while you tell them a situation. Ask
them to give you a negative emotion they could feel as a result of the incident. For
example, if your brother takes your toy and breaks it…how do you feel? The
student might say, “Angry.”
- Put an article of clothing on him/her: a hat, some gloves, another pair of pants, or
another shirt. Or, you could have him hold something that would weigh him
down. Give your student another situation that would provoke another negative
emotion. Add more weight with another article of clothing, or something else to
hold. Keep giving examples and keep adding weight until he experiences
discomfort. Don’t forget to give situations when an individual might hurt someone
and then not forgive himself. Sometimes we harbor negative feelings of guilt even
after we are forgiven by others. It is often more difficult to let go of these feelings
and forgive ourselves. Ask the following questions:
1. How do you feel?
2. How does this activity relate to Forlov?
3. Do you remember how Raja felt when Damian lost the compass?
- Explain to your class that feelings of anger, guilt, sadness, or bitterness make us
feel yucky, heavy, and sad.
- Take everything off and ask:
1. How do you feel now?
2. What can you do to keep yourself from carrying unnecessary burdens and
discomforts when others offend you, or you offend others?
Island of Humility Forlov
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- Tell your class that forgiveness towards others and ourselves makes us happy and
feel free. It makes our relationships stronger and life is better.
• ACTIVITY: LET IT GO! On a blank piece of paper, write down a situation where you
were hurt. Include the details of how it happened and especially how you felt about it and
the consequences that followed. This is a private paper that you won’t show to anyone
else. It is ok to write how you really feel. For example - I was so angry when my brother
ruined my special project. didn't want to see him anymore. I wanted to punch him.
- Go to a quiet place and read the paper aloud and then state out loud that you
release those feelings and negative thoughts.
- Take the paper and rip it to shreds or actually burn it. As you are doing so, strive
to forgive this person and let go of the negative feelings and thoughts.
• QUOTE ACTIVITY: Choose a quote to discuss.
- What does this quote teach you?
- Memorize the quote. Write the words on separate sheets of paper and invite your
students to lay them out in order. Recite the quote and then remove one of the
words. Continue to remove words until you have it memorized! If you want, give
a reward when each student has memorized the quote.
• VIDEO: DOLPHINS SAVE AND HEAL. Dolphins are used in therapy sessions, have
been known to save people who are drowning, and even save people from sharks. Find a
video about these amazing rescues. How do these videos relate to Forlov the Dolphin?
Island of Humility Forlov
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Forlov the Dolphin Forgiveness Through Love
ANIMAL FACTS
1. Dolphins live in families, called pods. They form very strong
bonds with their pods.
2. Dolphins are quick to help others in need. Pods of dolphins have
been known to come to the aid of an injured dolphin and help it
to the surface to breathe. There are even stories of dolphins
rescuing humans in danger.
3. Dolphins also have extraordinary abilities to heal themselves.
Dolphins can tolerate and recover from extreme injuries such as
shark bites, although the exact methods used to achieve this are
not known.
4. Dolphins are very acrobatic and will often be seen leaping out of the water and
performing tricks.
5. What else can you learn about dolphins?
PONDER
1. How can you liken the dolphin to forgiveness?
Think about the words in the song.
2. Dolphins live in families called pods; and they form
very strong bonds with their pods. How can
forgiveness and love help us to develop strong
family relationships?
3. Dolphins have extraordinary abilities to heal themselves. How does forgiveness heal
wounded hearts? Can you think of an example?
4. Dolphins are often known for their acrobatic moves, leaping high into the air. In the song,
it says, “See him ride the waves of life, gliding smooth and leaping strife, never in the
harbor of bitter feelings.” What does this phrase mean to you? What does it mean to leap
strife?
HOW TO USE FORLOV
RESULTS FROM APPLYING FORLOV
• Forgive myself and those I have allowed to
intentionally or unintentionally offend, hurt, or
disappoint me.
• Never harbor bitterness, hurt, or feelings of ill
will.
• Let it go.
• Strengthens the immune system
• Strengthens relationships
• Develops inner peace and harmony
• It is the champion of healing and inner contentment
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Forlov the Dolphin
Forlov, the dolphin, the champion
Forgiveness
The champion of healing, contentment
Forgiveness
See him ride the waves of life, gliding smooth and leaping strife,
Never in the harbor of bitter feelings.
Strengthens love and harmony,
Develops peace and unity,
Protects the human body from illness.
Forlov, Forgiveness
Forlov, the dolphin, the healer
Forgiveness
Reminding to love and to let go
Forgiveness
See him ride the waves of life, gliding smooth and leaping strife,
Never in the harbor of bitter feelings.
Strengthens love and harmony,
Develops peace and unity,
Protects the human body from illness.
Forlov, Forgiveness
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“The weak can never
forgive. Forgiveness is
the attribute of the
strong.”
~Mahatma Gandhi
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“We can do no great things;
only small things with great
love.” ~ Mother Teresa
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“Forgiveness through
love leads to inner-
contentment. This
makes Forlov the
champion of healing.” ~Roger Anthony
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“You can love a person dear
to you with a human love,
but an enemy can only be
loved with divine love.”
~Leo Tolstoy, War and Peace
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FORLOV CROSSWORD
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2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Across
3. _______ the dolphin, the champion. Forgiveness.
6. Forlov the ______, the healer. Forgiveness.
8. A dolphin lives in a family called a _____.
Down
1. Strengthens love and _______, develops peace and unity.
2. Reminding to _______ and to let go. Forgiveness.
4. See him ______ the waves of life, gliding smooth and leaping strife.
5. Protects the human body from _________. Forlov, forgiveness.
7. Dolphins have been known to _____ injured dolphins and people.
*Hint: The answers can be found in the song and animal facts. If you need additional help refer to the word bank at the end of the document.
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FORLOV WORD SEARCH
F H A R M O N Y P D A B
A O R G T N Y P E C F R
F O R G I V E R A N F Y
C L K L M N N O C I V K
A W V E O F E T E H B H
Q E F C H V H E R P E L
R I S S D B E C F L W J
L O V E F D A T E O Q H
P R H J K L L S D D F G
V H U S S E P O D L G J
D G E G C H E G C H W Y
FORLOV DOLPHIN FORGIVE
LIFE LOVE PROTECTS
PEACE HARMONY POD
HEAL
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FORLOV CROSSWORD
Word Bank:
help love
pod harmony
ride Forlov
dolphin illness