Americans tend to be practical people. We want things to work efficiently and tend to be impatient with dreamers. After all, what good does it do to sit around thinking? What does this mental and emotional effort accomplish?
Since we are a "can do" nation, Americans tend to see such people as productive. This of course raises the question of what is work supposed to accomplish. Frequently in American schools there is an intense desire to raise reading, writing and math scores. While these areas are vital in a society, so too is the ability to develop thoughts and ideas. If students aren’t ever shown there is something other than being "productive," they will likely soon have little to read, write or think about. This is why the development of imagination is so important and "useful." Creative students can develop their classrooms with new and exciting ideas.
The famous children’s literature writer Leo Lionni has written a delightful story about what is really useful and necessary in a society. The name of this charming book is "Frederick."
As the spring breaks forth, a family of mice begin gathering all kinds of food for the next winter. Four of the mice sweat and labor to bring nuts, grains and other types of products into a wall in which they live. The fifth mouse, Frederick, sits with his eyes closed as the others labor throughout the spring and summer. Soon the hard-working mice begin to chide Frederick for his lack of production. They continue to call to him asking what he could possibly be doing. Frederick tells his family that he is gathering colors for the long days of winter. This seems absolutely preposterous to the other mice and they keep laboring all the while thinking Frederick is both lazy and irresponsible.
Each time the mice ask Frederick what he is doing; his answer is similar to the first reply. Frederick tells his brothers and sisters that he is gathering sun rays and words for the long dreary winter. The hard-laboring mice have little time for such antics and continue gathering large quantities of provisions for the approaching cold.
At last, the family contentedly burrows back into the stones in the wall, unafraid of the approaching storms. After all, they had prudently worked hard all summer to ensure they would not suffer when the snowstorms fell. Frederick moves inside the stone wall with his family as winter descends. At first the mice can’t believe their good fortune. There is an abundance of corn, nuts, grains and other types of food. But as the winter drags on, their food supply begins to dwindle, and their spirits sink. The mice are learning a hard lesson that there is more to life than just eating.
As their spirits hit rock bottom, they all turn to Frederick for help. They begin to ask him to tell them about a beautiful world beyond their narrow imaginations. The practical ones are now begging for solace from the dreamer. In a generous and kind manner, Frederick stands up and begins to eloquently inspire his family.
What does Frederick say? What lovely colors and images does he create for his unimaginative brothers and sisters? How do Frederick’s dreams sustain his family? Have you every inspired someone with your ideas and dreams? What does "useful" really mean? To find out, go to the library and check out "Frederick" by Leo Lionni.
This charming book was written in 1967 by the talented children’s writer/illustrator, Leo Lionni. Young children will love the story as it is very approachable and packed with meaning. I hope you get a chance to share this delightful book with your family. Lionni makes us reassess what we think about the meaning of the word "useful." I really like this story and think you will as well. Enjoy!
