Here we meet our story's climax!! Hippo has been told what to do with his time, how to sing, how to dance, how to walk, what to wear, and now he's being told that a very part of him which he's had since birth - his spot - is not okay. That he needs to get rid of it. Hippo, unsure of himself and desperate for friendship, has obeyed every "should" so far. And how he's letting Giraffe tell him he's not good enough, and allowing some hands-on intervention. Here he is, sitting through this torture, and taking this abuse. Giraffe is crossing some serious boundaries here. Hippo has a choice... does he let this go on or does he take a stand??
How many of us let what we think people want from us determine our thoughts, feelings, and actions instead of listening to what WE want, what WE care about, what makes US happy, and feeling like that, in itself, is valuable enough?
Parents, I hope you'll take this opportunity to teach your kids if they don't like something, they can say "Stop" "Don't" "I don't want to do that" "I like this about myself" and even, "Don't touch me." This is important. This is very important.
“... you don't have to wait for someone to treat you bad repeatedly. All it takes is once, and if they get away with it that once, if they know they can treat you like that, then it sets the pattern for the future.”
― Jane Green, Bookends
(http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/abuse)
We are the ones who decide how we are treated, and how our lives go. Hippo is about to learn this, and teach the rest of us!
I love it, Ginny! As a children's therapist, any fun story book that can share these kind of principles is so valuable!
ReplyDeleteThank you THAT means a lot. I appreciate the time you took I know you are VERY busy. Seriously thank you.
Delete