Object: a mud pie (or a very dirty rag)

Good morning, boys and girls. What's the most fun you ever had getting dirty? (Let them answer.) How many of you ever made mud pies? (Show the mud pie and let them answer.) (OR,) When you were finished getting dirty, how many of you cleaned yourself up and finished with a rag looking this dirty? (Show the rag and let them answer.)

This morning I want to tell you the story about a very old woman. This woman lived alone. She lived on the edge of town, where there were very few other neighbors. Since she lived alone, she didn't take a bath very often and she didn't wash her clothes very often. Some people thought she was dirty. She didn't have much money, so her house hadn't been painted …