Who is Ted Geisel??? You know you know him. Maybe not by his surname, or even his first name; but you know him. It's Dr. Seuss! A genius! A masterful author that I never would have recognized as such had I not had children.
I took my two little ones to the local library the other day. I've always loved libraries and the feeling I get when walking into a room surrounded by thousands of stories told thousands of ways (not to mention the knowledge that could be found); and I decided that I would share my love for libraries with my children. Sadly, the twins (being the rambunctious 4 year olds that they are) have yet to find the beauty of a library; but I still drag them to the weekly story time. On our way out, I let them pick out a book for me to check out and read to them. One of my boys (honestly, I can't remember which one) picked out a book titled "Your Favorite Seuss: A baker's dozen by the one and only Dr. Seuss." I can honestly say that I have never really paid attention to the words in a Seuss story until I started reading these stories to my children (starting with my oldest and "Oh the Places You'll Go").
I admire him. Reading this "baker's dozen" book to my kids has shown me the wisdom in Dr. Seuss's stories. The most wonderful thing about this particular book is that it gives you insight into Ted Geisel's world and how he came up with the stories that he has over his years. Honestly, I never would have thought that his story "Yertle the Turtle" was stemmed from the political cartoons that Geisel did for the New York newspaper PM in 1941 (if you don't know the story of Yertle the Turtle, I suggest you check it out). Each one of his stories is an inspirational one that either drives you to think outside of the box and discover the true potential of your creativity or seriously makes you think.
At the end of this book that I have been reading to my children is a commencement speech that Geisel gave at Lake Forest College in June of 1977. It reads:
"It seems to be behooven upon me to bring forth great words of wisdom to this graduating class as it leaves these cloistered halls to enter the outside world beyond. Fortunately, for you of the graduating class, my wisdom is in very short supply and I have managed to condense everything I know into an epic poem consisting of 14 lines. If I can find it under these robes, I will read it quickly and then sit down. The epic poem is entitled:
My Uncle Terwilliger on the Art of Eating Popovers
My uncle ordered popovers
from the restaurant's bill of fare.
And, when they were served, he regarded them
with a pentrating stare....
Then he spoke great words of wisdom
as he sat there on that chair:
'To eat these things', said my uncle,
'you must exercise great care.
You may swallow down what's solid....
But...you must spit out the air!'
And as you partake of the world's bill of fare,
that's darned good advice to follow.
Do a lot of spitting out the hot air.
And be careful what you swallow."
Run with that however you choose!
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