He said, “You become. It takes a long time. That’s why it doesn’t happen to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don’t matter at all, because once you are Real you can’t be ugly, except to people who don’t understand.”
No, this is not a quote about a homeschool mom on a warm May afternoon. But it could be because this is a foundational truth about love and being loved and being Real. Most homeschool moms have experienced that sensation of being rubbed off from love. There were many an afternoon that I called myself “The Velveteen Rabbit”. This is one of the many foundational truths found in Margery Williams’ book, The Velveteen Rabbit.
These authors of old had a way of capturing the essence of a truth with tales of heroic and endearing characters, beautiful imagery, use of symbolism. Those stories end by teaching our children that although, life at times may be hard, there is always hope!
Here are some foundational truths found in a sampling of children’s stories. Remember to always discuss with your children the truths that are exhibited in the timeless tales.
Here are three foundational truths that children can glean from these parables.
Since it is so likely that children will meet cruel enemies, let them at least have heard of brave knights and heroic courage. Otherwise, you are making their destiny not brighter but darker. – C.S. Lewis
