​
Making sense of appearances 
in collectif Reflections in the river
Selected Readings in Drama and Education
Éditions Nadie, National Library of Australia, 1995

​




​
Texte de la conférence donnée à Queensland University
lors de Idea'95, Congrès Mondial Théâtre Éducation à Brisbane, Australie

                                                                                                 

​Abstract by Dr. Philip Taylor, Faculty of Education, Griffith University

The author explores the role of theatre and, particularly, of puppets in education. He examines special educational programs that focus on the life and survival of children and of distraught adolescents.
Michel Melin is a poet, and has come to theatre to enlarge his range of vision. He writes plays for children and has dedicated a large part of his time to drama work and teaching, especially with handicapped children.
​

​

​

       Poème introductif de la conférence                                                                                                                                      
​

A long time ago men
still hadn't invented writing
to tell stories and to make History
They carved images in stone.
In the dephts of the seas of time 
All we find of men
is carving and fear
Learning
Speaking
Giving the gods a form
as well as to powers invoked
Living
Waking up one day on the face in the mirror
and saying : I'm human
No one knows at which of the world's moments
men invented the puppet.
Maybe it was when one of them got up 
and went out in search of meaning of appearences
He created out of stone and wood a small thing
articulated and fragile
Then, silently, he looked at it
with the eyes of childhood...
The dream come true
drove away the chimeras
and ripped the cold veil of night
So that dawn could become day...

                                                                                                                                                                                                          ↲