Story games
The fortunately, unfortunately game, good luck, bad luck, repeat.
Fortunately, unfortunately is a story game where good news and bad news take turns. One player says something lucky, the next makes it go wrong, the next rescues it. It needs no kit and works anywhere: at the table, in the car or as a five-minute class warm-up.
Remy Charlip’s 1964 picture book “Fortunately” uses the same pattern, if you want a book to read first.
The rules
- Start the story. The first player says an opening line. Use a starter from the list below.
- Make it go wrong. The next player adds a line beginning “Unfortunately…”: something bad happens.
- Rescue it. The next player adds a line beginning “Fortunately…”: something saves the day, for now.
- Keep swapping. Go round, alternating “Unfortunately” and “Fortunately”. Each line must follow from the one before.
- End it. After a set number of rounds, or when the story is ridiculous enough, the next player finishes it with “And in the end…”.
A worked example
Grandpa insisted he knew the way because he’d done this exact trip before, in 1971, on a bicycle. Unfortunately, the road he remembered was now a lake. Fortunately, the car could float. Unfortunately, so could the crocodiles. Fortunately, the crocodiles only wanted directions. Unfortunately, Grandpa gave them. And in the end, we all arrived at the seaside, two days late, with six new friends.
Twelve starters
- Grandpa insisted he knew the way because he’d done this exact trip before, in 1971, on a bicycle.
- The island appeared on Tuesday, sailed past us on Wednesday, and was nowhere to be found by Thursday.
- Every pirate aboard the Salty Biscuit was afraid of something. Captain Tomás was afraid of seagulls.
- “Land ho!” shouted the lookout, although what he could see from the crow’s nest was not exactly land.
- Farmer Ingrid counted her sheep twice and got fifty-one both times. She only owns fifty.
- The octopus at the aquarium had learned to open its tank, and it had written a list of places to visit.
- At six o’clock sharp, the rooster cleared his throat and announced that he was quitting.
- “You get three wishes,” said the genie, “but you have to use them all before lunch.”
- Once upon a Thursday, a witch opened a bakery, and her very first customer was a nervous troll.
- Captain Drizzle could make it rain, but only on herself, and only when she was already running late.
- A giant sat on our house. He said, “Sorry! I thought it was a chair!”
- The dog did a little burp, and out came a cloud shaped like a duck.
Tips
- For young children: say “good news” and “bad news” instead. It is easier to remember.
- In the car: go round clockwise from the driver. Nobody needs to hold anything.
- For older players: ban the obvious. No “it was a dream” and no “then everyone died”.
- In class: it practises cause and effect and sentence openers. Swap in other pairs: “Luckily / Unluckily”, “Meanwhile / Suddenly”.
- Two players: take strict turns and set a limit of ten lines each.
Questions
How do you play fortunately, unfortunately?
Players take turns adding one line to a story. Lines alternate between starting with “Fortunately” (something good happens) and “Unfortunately” (something bad happens). Each line must follow from the last.
What age is fortunately, unfortunately for?
From about five, using “good news, bad news”. It works for adults too, and is a common improv and drama warm-up.
How many players do you need?
Two or more. With a big group or a class, sit in a circle and go round once.
Is it good for English language learners?
Yes. The fixed openers give a safe structure, and each line only needs a short sentence. Teachers often use it in ESL and EAL lessons.