Dreamcatchers

This week, back after half term, we were writing about dream catchers. First, we talked about the history of dream catchers. Then, we looked at a range of images of dream catchers and chose one which appealed to us, and why we felt it would be a good dream catcher. Then, we designed a dream catcher, either for ourselves or someone else - what could it reveal about this person's character, by the choice of colours, shapes, textures, materials?

Next, we reversed this - what if the dream catcher itself was a character? What sort of person or creature might it be - an elf, a monster, a ghost, an alien, a bird, an animal? What might it look like? How might it move? How does it do its dream catching work? Is dream catching hard? What happens if something goes wrong?

Here is one brilliant example of a dream catcher story, from Charlotte:

His name is Miigwan. It’s an old native American word meaning feathers. He glides over the earth, seeking out bad dreams with his seven foot wingspan, silently stalking any nightmare that might come into view.

His name is Miigwan. He’s an eagle of sorts though no one can quite make out which one. Opposing sides have suggested a golden, others an Osprey or something like a kite. His tail is white and brown and if the light catches it right, it sometimes flashes blue and purple. His eyes are as amber as an amber flashing light at a pelican crossing. His feet and beak are as yellow as a setting sun. The clouds beneath him, reflect back into his eyes, swirling around like some sort of whirlpool. His feathers smooth to the touch, flecked with dust and rain droplets from his travels. His underside as dark as the night to hide him from any would be poachers or anyone who wishes him harm.

Don’t let my description scare you though. He’s quite nice once you get to know him and once he gets to know you and your dreams. He doesn’t say very much, well he’s barely uttered a word to me since I’ve known him. I can assure you however, his actions speak for him.

His name is Miigwan. His job is hard and grinding. The hours are long and it never lets him get any sleep. Well you try to sleep when one person goes to bed at six O’clock at night over in Australia and then another a few seconds later in Asia! I honestly think he enjoys it though. Secretly, deep down, he seems to enjoy it somehow.

I once asked him ‘how do you keep up with all of those dreams?’. Sort out the good from the bad. As per usual, he didn’t say a thing. He did however for once show me.

The good dreams, as far as I can tell, are star-shaped and have a blue hue to them. They smell of lavender and have giggles and laughter coming from them when they saunter past.

The bad however, are far different. They come in a ball shaped orb that smells sour like gone off milk or cheese that’s been left of the fridge for too long. They also have a red hue to them and an evil laugh seems to omit from them. It doesn’t take long however, before Miigwan swoops in and claps them together between his wings to get rid of them.

His name is Miigwan. Many do not know his name or even know he is there. I do and now so do you. So remember his name and know how hard he works so that you can have a peaceful night or a pleasant snooze. Watch out for the signs that he’s near. A rustle in the wind or a chirping sound that you can never work out where it’s coming from. Or maybe just maybe, you’ll catch a glimpse of him in your dream catcher one night, watching over you.

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Dreamcatchers