This Dr. Seuss classic was first published in 1973 and tell us the story of an old man who lived in the Desert of Drize. He sang a song to our point of view character, who hasn’t forgotten it to this day.
The old man sat on top of a cactus, but he didn’t seem to mind it much. The happy smile on his face didn’t seem to match the prickles he surely must be feeling in his bottom. His song was full of wisdom and spoke of the importance of being grateful for your blessings.
His advice? Whenever you’re starting to feel down on yourself, think about how lucky you really are. Some people are much worse off than you think yourself to be. For instance, some people have to work on the Bunglebung Bridge, which hangs precariously between Boober Bay and Bumm Ridge. That’s a nasty job – aren’t you glad you don’t have to do it?
Or what if you lived in Ga-Zayt and had to negotiate their terrible traffic. Or lived in a house like they build in Ga-Zair, with the bathrooms clear on the other end of the house from the bedrooms. Now, that would be bad.
You could be as bad off as Ali Sard. His job is mowing the lawn, but the faster he mows, the faster it grows. He’s just never going to be done.
I think I feel the most sorry for the Crumple-horn, Web-footed, Green-bearded Schlottz. He has a long, long tail, but it’s completely tied up in knots that can’t be undone. That is a predicament.
While reading this story, we learn about even more unfortunate creatures who are suffering all sorts of uncomfortable ailments, and we learn that no matter how picked on we think we are, there’s always something to be grateful for, and we should try hard to find it.
Related Blogs:
Dr. Seuss Series: Hunches in Bunches
Dr. Seuss Series: Thidwick, the Big-Hearted Moose