Balloon Giraffe Routine
by Elwyn Harries

I enjoy using a simple routine shown us at conference a few years ago - I cannot remember who shared it but if anyone else can please let me know so i can give credit where credit's due.

I begin by making some simple animal shapes and handing out, then I show a large bag from which i produce a giraffe model. "Can anyone tell me what this is?" always gets the response "a giraffe". Reply - "actually it's a balloon but if you think it's a giraffe then that's OK...etc."

Then explain that this is a very unusual model. Just this morning this balloon was laying, uninflated, on the coffee table when someone opened the window and a draught blew up the balloon. That was not all, perhaps by static electricity or something the end f the balloon started to twist and tied itself in a knot. The balloon carried on twisting itself until this giraffe appeared. (This is hammed up with tongue very firmly planted in cheek) Conclude by asking if the audience believe you - of course not there had to be a maker (me). But some people will tell you that real giraffes (infinitely more complex than my balloon) were formed by a series of random chances....