Observations from Dr. Seuss

We love to read at our house with our four-year-old, especially Dr. Seuss.  But every once in a while when I’m reading one of his books I start to think a little too much.  And when you think too much about Dr. Seuss you can sometimes end up with some interesting observations.  Here are a few I came up with while reading:

 

1) What is “Green Eggs and Ham” if not a case study in peer pressure?  Listen Sam, he doesn’t like them, ok.  He doesn’t want to try them.  A box or a fox or a boat or a goat won’t make any difference.  Why don’t you go bother somebody else, I bet the Cat in the Hat will eat them.  He’ll do anything!  Also, if someone offers you food that is supposed to be pink or yellow but it is currently green, DO NOT EAT IT.  No matter how many times he asks, no good can come from eating discolored pig or chicken products.

2) Have you ever actually read “One Fish Two Fish”?  I mean, he starts with the fish, but then he gives up on them after a few pages and just makes up a bunch of random stuff.  It’s like he had an idea for a book about sea life, and then gave up on that idea because he realized it was dumb.  But then he had this book on his hands and had to do something with it, so they published it.

3) What father wants to read a book to his kids called “Hop on Pop”?  That just encourages violence and patricide.  This is not a good idea; there will be no hopping on Pop today.

4) The Cat in the Hat is not the world’s greatest role model.  I mean, the book should really be called “The Cat in the Hat that will probably be in a Gang Someday.”  The fish is the only one in that story with any sense, and he just keeps getting shushed.  I mean, I know he’s kind of a Debbie Downer, but at least he’s trying to keep Mom from going into a stress induced rage when she gets home.  I mean, it’s already raining outside, and that makes her moody, and to come home to such a mess would only lead to disaster.  And by the way, who names their kids “Thing 1” and “Thing 2”?  That’s just lazy parenting. 

5) If you find a Wocket in your Pocket…kill it!

While these ideas are silly, one of the great things that Dr. Seuss has done is create allegories with some great meanings, educating kids in fun ways about serious issues from racism to the environment to war.  He uses his stories to teach as well as have fun.

Your life is your story.  What are you using it for?  Is it just a story, a random collection of ideas that exist that doesn’t go anywhere, or is there more to your story than colorful drawings and interesting rhymes?  Is it possible that God wants to use your story today to do something great?  I believe He intends to turn your story into something meaningful by using you to make a difference in someone else’s story.  A difference that is more than just surface level, but that changes their eternity.  Embrace the big story that God wants to tell with your life today!