Age-relationships

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/late-wife-pranks-husband-plant_us_5a609e8be4b01f3bca58cd9b

Nigel and Phedre met when they were both 16 years old and later got married and had children. When Phedre was 69 she died and she left her husband instructions to keep watering the plants in the bathroom when she was gone. Nigel faithfully watered the plants for five years until his children helped him move in to a retirement home, and the truth about the plants was discovered; they were made of plastic.

Nigel and Phedre's daughter Nicol said, "It was only when we flew over to help him move we realised the plants were plastic. He said, 'I wondered why they still looked so good!'."

"We really laughed about it and it was lovely to think that my mum was still there with us.... it would have tickled her to know he'd actually done it."

Nicol said watering the plants gave her father something to do, but he did wonder why there were often puddles on the bathroom floor. He thought the toilet was leaking.

Nicol shared the story on twitter and it quickly went viral. People shared their own stories about lost loved ones and remarked on the wonderful sense of humour Nicol's mum must have had.

What do you see in the picture?
What do you notice about the person in the photo?

Explain the story

Each time Nigel watered the plants, what do you think he thought about?
Why did Nigel keep watering the plants?
Why do you think Phedre asked Nigel to water the plants even though she knew they were plastic?
Why does Nicol say they laughed and 'it was 'lovely to think my mum was still there with us" what does she mean?
What does this show about the relationship between Nigel and Phedre?
What does this show about relationships and love and age?
Why do you think the story went viral? What does this show about people around the world regardless of race, faith, gender?
What does the Equality Act 2010 say about age?
What things might you have in common with Nigel? (the aim here is for children to relate to a person despite differences in age; we don't know much about Nigel from this story but we know he cares about plants, he might like football or ballet or eating chocolate or reading or watching cartoons: there are things we will have in common with Nigel)
Why is this story about No Outsiders? (Nigel's age does not stop him living a full life; he has a sense of humour; we have things in common)

"No Outsiders in our school: teaching the Equality Act in primary schools" by Andrew Moffat

"Reclaiming radical ideas in schools: Preparing young children for life in modern Britain" by Andrew Moffat

equalitiesprimary.com