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| Jessie Willcox Smith (American, 1863-1935) |
“ ’You are a thief and trespasser who deserves to be punished!’
yelled Mama Bear as Goldilocks disappeared into the distance
crumpled and rumpled from a very deep sleep in Baby Bear’s
bed.”
“The way Baby Bear told the story, you would think he was
hurt
by the event, but in reality he was happy—his yucky porridge was
gone, his bed was warm, and he imagined her return as his
friend.”
Said the student-teacher who read the story to my
class. And
once again I had to admire how a specific story could be made
so
universal, could be washed of its spots before the spots
were seen.
I practice passive statements as I sit here and
steam. Many years back
Bully Baby Bear had thrown a sharp stone AND kept a clump of my hair—
I hadn’t eaten for days, but I left an IOU for the food and the broken chair.
Bully Baby Bear had thrown a sharp stone AND kept a clump of my hair—
I hadn’t eaten for days, but I left an IOU for the food and the broken chair.
I listen to the lesson's debate--proposition: Goldilocks must be punished
by rule of law; for one so anti-social, no restorative justice need be applied.
But I can see some children knew hungry little girls need justice too.
by rule of law; for one so anti-social, no restorative justice need be applied.
But I can see some children knew hungry little girls need justice too.
Inspired by Kerry's Wednesday Challenge ~ The Unreliable Narrator at Imaginary Gardens with Real Toads, I drew on material from a chapter in my work in progress. I'm curious: Of the three narrators, who do you find unreliable?
I am so happy to re-post this for "@RhymeTime24 #WakesUp @NWCreativeUnion #WWUC."
I love this, Susan. Why did I never think of Goldilocks as a trespasser? Was I, at such a young age, already conditioned to think people deserve better treatment than animals do? Oh, I hope not.
ReplyDeleteGreat job!
K
"made so
ReplyDeleteuniversal, could be washed of its spots before the spots were seen."
I love this statement, Susan...makes one wonder what other stories have been polished. :)
Inspiring that you've a larger work in progress, Susan!!
I loved your reflection of this story in your poem! Clever and it reminded me of how I teach my children to look at things with tilted lens! Well Done
ReplyDeleteOooh! Hungry little girls need justice too. I love that line, Susan, and just marvel at the skillful way you set this whole narrative up, from teacher's perspective, to the children and to the ignored injured party.
ReplyDelete"I had to admire how a specific story could be made so
universal, could be washed of its spots before the spots were seen." This is a quotable quote in my book.
PS - I must run but there's a marvelous Terry Pratchett rif on the context of fairy tales - opening up the lens = he works with the emperor's new clothes - I'll try to think what book it is but he goes into the collapse of the clothing industry and people (nudists) becoming interested in sports involving large beach balls. k.
ReplyDeleteI hit the wrong button and this disappeared!
Deletemanicddaily has left a new comment on your post "Justice":
This is so cool! I don't know about which narrator - I found the first quite captivating -first the different way of looking at the story was very fun and second the irritation was so spot on! Very very funny and interesting. k.
I am so sorry! I love your comment. This narrative on narrative, etc, has been on top lately as I think about how we teach children creativity and social justice simultaneously. Well, maybe not social justice, but a particular morality that we hope leads to something like justice.
this is delightfully charming! {i LOVE twisted fairy tales!} me thinks all three narrators are unreliable!
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not sure if my comment is awaiting moderation or if there was a glitch as it took me to "page not found" when i hit publish ~ just wanted to say that i found this a delightfully charming take on the prompt and i think all three narrators are unreliable!
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She always seemed trusting and sweet to me. :) Loved this and the line about hungry little girls.
ReplyDeleteAren't all of the variations potentially unreliable, as interpretation always rests with the reader, not the writer?
ReplyDeletenicely done Susan. Great tale. Thanks
ReplyDeleteLove your view on an old story. Everyone sees the same thing with different eyes. :)
ReplyDeletehttp://confessionsofalaundrygoddess.blogspot.com/2011/11/pillowkins.html
love the multiple viewpoints of same scene. one choice writer always has to make first...who tells the story. and you've demonstrated how crucial that choice is, susan. love the Goldilocks must be punished. like one before me said already, why'd that never cross our minds back then? reinforces the crucial "who's telling the story" as to what story gets told :)
ReplyDeleteMonty