
So often in life we make separations between ourselves and others, whether it be culturally, racially, religiously or most evident in the United States right now, politically. Humanity so often seems to divide itself up. It finds a truth and holds tightly to it. Then suddenly life becomes “us” verses “them”. How do we reach across human division?
This year as a part of our Waldorf home school curriculum the Douglas Wood books, Old Turtle, & Old Turtle and the Broken Truth were recommended. I had planned on looking for them at the library but at the last minute just decided to go ahead and order them. I’m so glad I did because I could never have given them up after reading them both. They are beautifully illustrated books with watercolors by Jon Muth and they are so beautifully & poetically written. I often cannot get through a reading without choking up.
“…into this far and lovely land there fell… a truth. It streaked down from the stars, trailing a tail as long as the sky. But as it fell, it broke.”
In this book a “Truth” is found. On it is written a very special message, but the animals soon see that it’s a broken truth and so reject it. Then a man finds the broken truth and at first it gives him a great sense of peace. He takes it to his people.
“The Truth made the people feel good and proud and strong. But soon they also began to feel fear and even anger toward those who were not like themselves and did not share their truth. The other beings and other people of the lovely land seemed less and less important… “
See what happens when a little girl journeys in search of wisdom and an “Old Turtle”. In the end the broken “Truth” is reunited with it’s lost half. A new message emerges, but how do the people respond to this new, whole Truth?
I dare you to read this book without a tear or two. Most appropriate for the age 7 and up child and all children at heart. This book has a remarkable and meaningful message for all people across every so called divide. I’m sure it will become a favorite in your home too.
There are so many wonderful children’s books out there with meaningful life messages. I would love to know, what are your favorites?