The Pied Piper

It is a great ability to stretch. To create in such a way as to open up a child’s willingness to use
his/her imagination? Though they may not be as capable of expressing it with words or pictures, their mental focus on what we say in the telling of a story, makes them eager and ready to
learn, thereby, strengthening their ability to, not only, express but, to transfer their feelings,
putting them into words, for the benefit of sharing what they have heard, with others. Interestingly, the Enchantment of the tale within can, oftentimes, boost their enthusiasm, thereby, giving and adding length to their attention span. Have you ever wondered what animals do at night? Where do the birds go at sunset? Where? Why does the element of surprise, make you jump, nearly, out of your skin? Children say, “Oooohhhh! You scared my tummy!” Then, they realize, that it’s just a story. Then, they say, “Do it, again!!?” What makes reading so much fun? It allows us to build our own, personal, imaginations. Some of us never, seem to “out-grow” it. If you are thirty-something (or forty, fifty, or even, sixty-something +?), there is always, that “thing” we call our “inner child”, just waiting for the next chance to surface. To put a calm and gentle finger to the softness of their chins, smiling and giving them a tender, “coochy-coo!”. That self-same gesture, from there, leads to “Thumbelina” to “The Canterville Ghost”!? A bit of our character is built here. It even builds our personal sensitivities.., causing laughter, and filling us with such intrigue and suspense, that we cannot wait to turn the page. Why, it can even jerk a tear from us, somehow, stirring that side of our emotions? Have you ever seen a picture of a tree? Picture it in your mind. One, where there are bright, green leaves.., bluebirds.., and a yellow, sun? Soft, green grass at the base of it? Why not, look a bit closer.., see the child there.., beneath the tree? Does he (or she) have a book? Can you imagine that the child.., is you?

Oh, yes.., “The Pied Piper”.., it’s not your grandmother’s old bedtime story?

I do hope that you enjoy this tale.