Friday, March 16, 2018

Rapunzel


Rapunzel, Rapunzel, letdown your hair to me!” Oh, the familiar words from the immortal tale! We know the story well, but let us contemplate the depth of what is really happening in this fairy tale. I have said it before and I will say it again: Many read these stories aimlessly and frivolously, oblivious to the deeper underlying principle, truth, and lesson contained therein.

Let us contemplate what is really happening in this story. A young couple is anticipating the birth of their child. They are poor and the wife is hungry. They see a garden with delectable vegetation of which they greatly want to feast. The husband wants to be sure his wife has plenty to eat, especially since she is expecting a baby soon. He steals of the luscious food rather than asking because he fears the owner—a witch. But this caused him more harm than if he had simply asked. “It is easier to ask forgiveness than permission.” Now they will lose their daughter when she is born.

Now let us analyze the old woman. Yes, she is wicked, but she is also a person, and people are emotional beings. Perhaps she had never experienced love in her life. Now she covets love and does whatever it takes to get it. But she doesn't have a loving heart. She hurts others in order to get it. It is artificial. She wants to create her own world with Rapunzel as she raises her in a lonely castle, trapped and secluded from society. The old woman wants Rapunzel only for herself. It is fear that does this: fear that she may lose her. The witch must hold on to her tightly and let no one else in-- in to this world she has created for the two of them. The statement “let down your hair to me” is symbolic of “submission to me and no one else” and rebellion against the natural order of things.

Are we like the woman in this fairy tale? Do we have a hard time letting go? How are our relationships? Parents can often have a hard time letting go—letting go of sons and daughters. The child feel trapped in a castle with no doors. They are captive. The relationship between the child and parent is rocky as a result. The young person feels like a canary in a cage and wants more than anything to get out and to be free. Eventually they do get out and never want to see the “old woman” again.

The prince does come in time, and Rapunzel wants more than anything to experience freedom and real love—love that is not selfish but pure and selfless. She finds it in the prince. She does not mind that he is blind, nor does he mind that her long locks have been taken away. Some day the prince will come whether we like it or not. Better to let go and live. Because Rapunzel was not the only one locked in a castle. Yes, the witch could leave and come back, but she was still trapped in that castle in a another sense. She could never truly enjoy Rapunzel because she had to hide her and clench her tightly in the grips of selfishness. How much better it is to share with others that precious ruby. How much better it is to let go and live.

A Word from Ollie

Whooo, Whooo! It is I, Ollie Owl again. I just love to hear a good fairy tale. I had never pondered that aspect of Rapunzel before. Have you? I have , however sat here in the forest and seen a lot of things over the years. A lot of enchanting and fantastic things have happened in this forest. Princes and princesses seem to frequent this setting on a regular basis it seems. Hmm? Perhaps it is the seclusion or sequestered location. I like the word sequestered. It is a good word to describe a forest –or many of things for that matter—that are secluded or far away from busy places. Why not use the word sequestered today. I think you will enjoy it. Well, dawn will be here soon, so it is time for me to find a fat rat to feast upon before sunrise. Bye for now. “Hoot”les !


The Crafty Corner

It is springtime. . . or soon will be. How about a creative Easter Bunny craft? This Bunny I made from white fake fur fabric and felt. I had an old pattern I used to do it. I think the colours are good ones. He is just the right size to put in an Easter basket too! One tip to keep in mind if you ever make this rabbit (or a similar one) is to put cardboard in the ears before attaching them. They are then more solid and will stand up better—unless of course you want a floppy-eared rabbit. Use felt for the eyes and nose. Embroider the face.




Notice the lap stitch to give embroidered look.

Felt was used for the eyes, nose, tooth; embroidered mouth

You can find this rabbit and other crafts I have made by going to https://www.etsy.com/listing/545510192/white-rabbit-plush-easter-bunny-stuffed?ref=shop_home_feat_2

Or you may visit https://www.pinterest.com/doyle4education/crafts-i-make-to-sell/

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!


Here are some St. Patrick's Day crafts that are fun to do. For details about these and other crafts go to https://happyhomefairy.com/st-patricks-day-crafts/




So get those creative juicy flowing and create, create, create!



Book of the Month

I really enjoy the stories of Bill Pete. He is one of those classic storybook writers and illustrators. He is a rare breed. He wrote and illustrated his books. He worked for Disney for many years doing the storyboards used by animators. The Ant and the Elephant is one of his original stories. It is a story about helpfulness and kindness, good deeds that are often done but go unnoticed. It also contrasts the disparity of a small creature, such as an ant, to that of a big one like the elephant. We all are important in this world and have a part to sing in the chorus of life.