Of lupines, Pumpkins and the Fruits of the Harvest

Yikes, this was truly difficult . . . so many books with so much to say.

Perhaps because I have spent the majority of my time on earth with children, I first thought about their literature with its simple, clear prose and "don't hit me on the head" messages that lend themselves to rich discussions that you can't chart out ahead of time. I've always loved the journey vs. the destination and these books are about the journey in that each time I read them aloud or even to myself (I always look in the bookstore to make sure they are in stock or in the library to see if they are on the shelf)I find myself involved in a whole new discussion. So here goes . . .

A long time favorite, Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney tells the story of a little girl who is reminded by her grandfather that it is not enough to be happy in the world, but that you must leave it somehow better than when you arrived. Pshaw! she believes and sets out to become what she wants (a librarian), travel the world, and have a house by the sea. But she is not happy and a serendipitous series of events allows her to find a way to make the world more beautiful. At the end of the story, you learn that the tale is true and does not really end -- and that's the point of what the grandfather was really talking about.

I, who have a quote above my desk that says something similar to the girl's grandfather use this story to kick off the idea of service learning in my classroom without really mentioning the service learning term or suggesting any projects. I love to listen to and watch the idea of world citizenship grow right in front of my eyes. Children have this amazing ability to not be put off by the size or seriousness of problems. They have a genuine, "why the hell not?" attidude that I happen to share (maybe because I spend so much time with them). This book reminds me that anything is possible, that little things count and often become big things. That if you "do the right thing", you leave not only a footprint but a trail and that others will follow and make it further than you did and thus the path keeps getting cleared.

My second book, Pumpkins by Mary Lynn Ray is an environmental cautionary tale but also one about the power of one and the (again) serendipitous nature of life. A man who loves the wide open space around him learns it will be sold and developed. He sells everything to buy and preserve it -- but can't manage the long term costs of land ownership. What to do?? The idea he comes up with and what happens as a result is truly delightful and again reminds me so much of human ability and the kind of solution a child might come up with that most of the rest (adults) of us would scoff at at the very least.

These books keep me honest, keep me thinking simply and clearly, help me to "turn down the noise" around me that might muddy my moral waters. Their basic lessons; work hard, live true, think responsibly, love big and leave something contributing behind are some of what I think a moral education or being a moral person is about.