My coffee this morning, looked strange. It wasn’t the dark, robust liquid that usually poured into my cup from the coffee maker. In fact, it hadn’t a speck of color because I had put the water into the pot but forgot to put in the coffee. So, I, whose alertness depends on hot caffeine, dumped out the water and started over.
My only excuse is that I didn’t sleep well, woke up in the wee, small hours of the morning, finally got off to sleep, and my dog decided it was time to get up. He was right but a cold, wet nose and a half-growl, half-whine are not a pleasant way to finish off a dream. As a result. I woke up grumpy. And then, there was the coffee…so my mind is truly meandering from one topic to the next. I invite you to come with me, if you can follow these muddled thoughts.
The sky is overcast and is probably a forerunner of other, heavier clouds that may wander in tomorrow bringing freezing rain. After that, the weatherman is predicting cold temperatures and snow. I really shouldn’t be surprised. This is, after all, still winter. I remember a children’s story I wrote once about Emory Woodmouse, a very young mouse who had never known a winter. As fall drew to a close and days became colder, his parents hurriedly hunted for and stored seeds, put on their fluffiest featherbeds, and got ready for winter. That was a strange word to Emory. “Winter?” he asked. “What is winter?” And, although the grown-ups tried to explain it to him, he could not visualize it. Then, after a long nap, he woke up to a strange, new world covered in white. The story goes on to relate how Emory discovers winter for himself.
That little story reminds me of other children’s stories. Arnold Lobel was one of my favorite children’s authors. He wrote the Frog and Toad books. Those were gentle stories and they taught a lesson without being preachy. I read lots of Frog and Toad books to my kindergarteners, particularly as they lay down for their afternoon naps.
Speaking of children, there is something about them that exudes creativity and hope and a warmth of gladness. I found that to be true with my own child, Matt, with my grandchildren and with my kindergarteners. Some of my most creative ideas have come to me as I was around little ones. Once, while my kindergarteners were napping, my thoughts wandered into a topic for a children’s story. I jotted down the idea and later, worked it up into a story. Cricket Magazine bought it.
Children’s stories hold many truths. As well as the Frog and Toad books, there is Pinnochio, The Emperor’s New Clothes, Aesop’s fables, of course, and many, many others. Children’s stories are well worth reading and remembering. Everyone needs a child or a bunch of children in their lives to bring hope into a sometimes gloomy day. We adults also need children’s stories. They are good for us.
So now, I’m feeling a little more awake although the sun is nowhere in sight. And you know my prescription for a dark, cloudy sky. It’s a wonderful time to settle down and read or write a good book. If you don’t feel like a children’s story, how about a cozy mystery? That’s sure to brighten any day!
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