Duni Chand and the needle of heaven

We are learning to Explore a story in depth and respond to it thoughtfully Retell a story with drama in a group Develop our own ideas about values from a Sikh story

Success Criteria

Success Criteria By the end of the lesson, we will be able to: Talk about what sort of person Duni Chand was in the story Retell the story in drama Respond to the idea of being generous with lots of ideas of my own about how to be generous Make links between the story and what Sikhs might do today as they follow their Guru

Important Vocabulary Word Meaning Guru Teacher Wealth Riches (money, jewellery, possessions) Generosity The habit of giving freely without expecting anything in return Reincarnation Life after death

Gold cannot be taken to heaven The story of Duni Chand Gold cannot be taken to heaven

Guru Nanak was a travelling teacher Guru Nanak was a travelling teacher. He visited Lahore, where there lived a banker called Duni Chand, well-known for being greedy. His beautiful palace shone with gold, marble and precious jewels.

Duni Chand leant that Guru Nanak was visiting Duni Chand leant that Guru Nanak was visiting. He rushed to invite the Guru to a special feast: it would make him look very important to have a famous guest.

Guru Nanak accepted the invitation. It was a wonderful occasion.

When everyone had finished, Duni Chand turned to Guru Nanak and said, “I am a wealthy man, I can help you. What do you want me to do?” Guru Nanak sat and thought. Fumbling in his pocket, he drew out a tiny sewing needle.

“Something you can do for me,” he replied, holding up the needle “Something you can do for me,” he replied, holding up the needle. “I want you to keep this needle very safe and give it back to me when we meet in the next world.” Duni Chand felt very important. The Guru had given him a very special task.

He took the needle and showed it to his wife, explaining what the Guru had told him. To his surprise, she burst into laughter. “How are you going to do that?” she asked. He thought and thought, then ran back to the Guru asking, “How can I take this needle with me when I die?”

“If you cannot take a tiny needle with you when you die, how are you going to take all your riches?” For the first time in his life, Duni Chand felt ashamed. He realised he had been greedy. He and his wife decided to use their wealth to help the poor.

We are learning to Explore a story in depth and respond to it thoughtfully Retell a story with drama in a group Develop our own ideas about values from a Sikh story

Group Task In groups of 4-6, you will develop a drama based on the story of Duni Chand.

The drama could be one scene of the story. Group Task The drama could be one scene of the story.

Group Task It could be after the story, where Duni Chand and his wife put the plan into action and show generosity.

Perform the dramas to the class. Group Task Perform the dramas to the class.

We are learning to Explore a story in depth and respond to it thoughtfully Retell a story with drama in a group Develop our own ideas about values from a Sikh story

Plenary What could rich Duni Chand do with his wealth instead? Give to charity Share

The Next Life Sikhs believe that when the body dies, there is another life. This is called reincarnation. Sikhs usually cremate (burn) the body, so possessions cannot be taken to the next life. Thinking about this is what made Duni Chand change his life.

Homework Draw a generosity tree. Each leaf should have a word relating to generosity.