It’s amazing what we can learn from the very simplest of stories. Learn from them, but then create your own story so that others can learn from you.
The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins is a children's book, written by Dr. Seuss and published in 1938. Set in feudal times, the story begins in the Kingdom of Didd, when King Derwin is riding through a street past Bartholomew Cubbins, a poor boy in the market. Bartholomew removes his hat, according to the laws, but another hat mysteriously appears; when he attempts to remove this one too, another one appears again, and this continues, even as he removes more and more hats, each growing in extravagance and beauty. Eventually, as Bartholomew is being threatened with death, the 500th hat, studded with massive gems and gilding, comes off and Bartholomew's head is bare again. Stunned by the beauty of the hat, King Derwin grants him reprieve and trades him 500 gold coins for the 500th hat.
The reason I tell this story is to illustrate that many of the problems we encounter contain the solutions to the problem; Bartholomew's problem became his solution. The story also illustrates the fact that he never feels like he's doing anything wrong while the king sees that he is in the wrong. So, who's right here? The adventure takes on a few twists and turns much like that of real life, but then again, the beauty of life's adventures never fall on a straight path.
Often times, it's like this in the classroom. A child acts up, doesn't do his homework or just appears to be disrespectful because of his inattentiveness. Perhaps, if the king (the teacher) would just listen, create a relationship and try to understand Bartholomew (the student) all problems could have been avoided. Then, a real gem can be revealed and shown to the world.
It is often my actions that cause problems. I reflect and then realize that my actions can also be the solution to the problem. There have been times when I have been terribly wrong, and did not stop to think about my actions. Because of my impatience, I have tried to get others to see my point of view, agree with me or even to try to act or be like me. Then, when the anxiety set in and the fear of loss overwhelmed me, I fought with anger in my heart. Even with the fear that must have existed, Bartholomew did not fight back. He was patient and his problem was solved by the very problem that he had.
Reading a children's book can be so educational. Please read to a child or listen to a child read; but do so by having a meaningful discussion about the author’s intentions. Perhaps it will even bring you (the adult) a lesson or two about how to approach the adventures of life.
