“ADVENTURE IN MY POCKET – THE ANT AND THE BUZZER” (adapted

story) “Financial Education in Schools and

Kindergartens”

2011/2013

Portugal

• Work a story/play adapted to Financial Education – “Adventure in My Pocket - The Ant and the Buzzer”;

• Give an end to the story/play;

• Perform the story/play.

The Ant and the Buzzer

Once upon a time, there was a very hard working Ant.

The Ant used to plant carrots, cabbages, potatoes, onions and other kind of food. Then, she used to sell them. Thus, she earned money with which she could buy other kind of food and other things, which were also important, and were sorely, missed, such as milk, fruit, books and she could pay the rent of the house.

The Ant had a friend, the Buzzer! She was cheerful and willing but very naughty. She didn’t study and she didn’t like to work. Thus, as she played the guitar all summer and didn’t work, she didn’t earn money…

The Ant and the Buzzer

The summer ended. The winter and the cold started. The Ant had sold what she had sown. She bought what she needed and still had 20 euros in her pocket!

With the winter the Buzzer started to be worried. She was hungry and cold and she didn’t have money in her pocket. She thought and thought…and said:

I already know…I’m going to visit the Ant! There she went. Hi Ant, sorry, but you know…I’m starving and with cold.

Could you please give me some money? That’s a good joke! – answered the Ant. I worked all the

summer while you were singing! If you sang day and night…now you can also dance!

The Ant and the Buzzer

The Buzzer was silent because she knew the Ant was right. She should really have worked so she could have money to buy food, pay the rent…well, for all she needed. But as she knew that the Ant had money, she told her:

- My dear friend Ant, I’m going to make you a request. I’m very upset and worried because I have no money. I know you are my friend and you won’t say no. Can I borrow 5 euros? I promise in 30 days I will refund you with interests and capital sum…

The Ant and the Buzzer

The Ant replied: OK, I will lend you the money! But you will stay in debt to me.

You owe me 5 euros and you must really pay me in 30 days. Debts must be paid. And you are going to sign a paper saying how much you owe and when you will pay me.

The Buzzer had to find a way to earn money to pay the debt and to manage to survive.

She thought and thought and thought…and decided to use her talents to win some money. She began by planning a music show. She went to several shops and started looking at the prices. She discovered that guitars were very expensive! Finally she decided to buy the one that seemed the best and not so expensive. The guitar cost 15 euros. The Buzzer didn’t have money in her pocket so she told the shopkeeper that she would pay later.

The Ant and the Buzzer

She was very worried so she decided to make a spending plan and write all that she due and what she had to spend during the month: the debt to the Ant, the guitar, food, books, the rent and the bills of water and electricity. She didn’t include the costs with transportation because she decided she would have to walk to save, since the costs were already too many.

Once the Buzzer saw her spending plan, she was scared! She would really have to win a lot of money! There was only one way, to make the show a huge success. She rehearsed, played, sang and prepared herself very well, for the big day.

The Ant and the Buzzer

She announced to everyone that the show was in the Forest of Friends, on the 17th, at 6 p.m. and that each entrance was 1 euro!

50 friends went to the show and the Buzzer won 50 euros!

The show was a real success and the Buzzer has never had so much money in her life! She was glad because she had a list with the things she had to buy.

The Buzzer was happy and relieved. She ran to pay the 5 euros to her friend Ant and she told her:

The Ant and the Buzzer

Thanks. So, tell me, did you learn the lesson? Of course I did! – answered the Buzzer. I learnt two lessons: the

first is that one must work to have money and the second is that one need accounts for not spending more money than we have! And with some effort, we can even save some money!

That’s right! – said the Ant. The key is to learn how to manage your money. You must learn how to earn and spend, so you don’t need to ask for money to your friends. Good luck!

Thanks. Now I would like you to give me a receipt saying that I paid everything to you.

The Buzzer swore to herself she would never go into debt again.

She was very afraid…

Kindergarten

Centro Escolar de Santiago de Piães

Primary School

Vila Nova

Primary School

Oliveira do Douro