"Ch Ch Child is Father of the Man"
In children's books it's the kid that saves the day. That's one of the reasons I love children's literature so much. From *Dido Twite (too many adventures to mention all!) surviving on whale oil while preventing a treacherous plot against the king, to Harry Potter saving the wizarding world with someone else's wand, there is a common theme in kid lit that whatever kids aren't, who they are is far greater, and usually, exactly what is needed to triumph.
I love this. This is a philosophy I can get behind.
Children are the quintessential underdogs. They're smaller, slower and weaker than the rest of us. Yet somehow they prevail.They overcome with less knowledge, less resources and know-how. Isn't this exactly what we, as adults, secretly hope is possible for us? Despite our shortcomings do we still have what it takes to survive? To win? Children's books reminds us that, yes, we do.
It's something I'm constantly having to remind myself especially when my son loses his fourth lunchbox in a row. In a month. It's important to take a moment as parents and remind ourselves that our children are capable of giving us more than just a headache-and if that's true for them, then it's true for us. Hallelujah!
Child is the Father of Man
(Child, child, child, the child) Father of the man (Father of the man, father of the man) (Child, child, child, the child) Father of the man (Father of the man, father of the man) (Child, child, child, the child) Father of the man (Father of the man, father of the man) (Child, child, child, the child) Father of the man (Father of the man) Easy, my child, it's just enough to believe (I believe, I believe, I believe) Out of the wild into what you can't conceive You'll achieve
-Brian Wilson and Van Dyke Parks
My Hear Leaps Up
My heart leaps up when I behold A rainbow in the sky: So was it when my life began; So is it now I am a man; So be it when I shall grow old, Or let me die! The Child is the father of the Man; And I could wish my days to be Bound each to each by natural piety.
-William Wordsworth
* Night-birds on Nantucket by Joan Aiken.