I want to share a story that no one seems to share any more but seemingly probably should.
The little red hen has a story with a strong lesson needed in life...no matter what your religion, race, country of origin...it is still something each of us should have learned as a child. I can't remember reading this particular story to my own children though I have instilled its values (or tried to) in them.
I look around and realize... "I can't remember the last time I heard someone talk about this story or folk tale" (as some would label it).
It takes place in a barnyard with the little red hen planting seeds for wheat asking for help from the other animals. She asks for help in planting. She asks for help in harvesting. She asks for help in grinding....and in each stage it takes to make her end creation of fresh baked bread. At each turn she is given excuses and reasons for no assistance given at each request. She works hard. She labors day in and day out. She offers opportunity after opportunity to each of the other "friends and neighbors" receiving a "no, not I" for each offer...until the end.
When all the work is done...when each turn of labor and endurance is over and the joys and fruits of that labor are ready to be shared---THAT is when EVERYONE else is finally on-board and available.
Once the fresh baked bread is ready to eat, each friend and neighbor is ready to help enjoy the work she endured.
Because no one was available through the work stages of planting, harvesting, milling/grinding, & baking) she denies anyone the chance to share in the eating of her fresh baked bread letting them know that though she offered and they were willing to eat the bread--no one was willing to help in its preparation so no one should have the enjoyment of her hard work either.
The Little Red Hen offers a moralistic tale of the importance of hard work and the shame as well as consequences of laziness.
Today, we often make excuses for not being available for the work but expecting something in return.
I am in no way implying this applies to everyone...but it does apply to today's expectations put out there by society. The lessons I learned as a child through books, comics, television (especially saturday morning cartoons) are just not out there any more.
I think I will end this rant here as I have made my point and could probably go on for another few pages worth of type....
Have a great weekend...
When someone tries to shame others into the truth of the matter, more excuses are made for them leading to the self important, dependent, and arrogance of today's "Me Generation".
Todays television shows offer no moral lessons to apply to life. They are truly ONLY for entertainment value which is sad when you look at how much time is spent on shows and movies.
