A few years ago I did a puzzle of classic children’s books. It was a fun one and after I finished, I thought it would be cool to read through all the books. It’s been almost four years and I’ve only read 15 in that time, but we’re getting there.
One of the titles from the puzzle was E.B. White’s Stuart Little. I know I’ve read this at least once in my life, but did not remember any of it. Charlotte’s Web? Absolutely. I remember reading it in class and all the fun things my elementary school teacher did when we discussed it. That will be the only time in all of history you will see me liking and crying over a spider.
While not Charlotte's Web, it’s still a fun read for children. It’s a random collection of Stuart’s adventures, with only a few tied together. I would like to have a conversation about the portrayal of cats though - neither cat character is Gamgee approved. I was surprised the story ended without some answers, but what a great opportunity for children to use their imagination and come up with their own stories of Stuart Little. And even though this is for children, there are a few things we adults can even learn from this little mouse.
Stuart hopes to find his best friend Margalo, a song bird, who flees when she hears she might be another cat’s meal. Naturally Stuart is heartbroken and after a failed date, sets off to find his friend.
Without knowing the outcome, Stuart heads out:
“Stuart rose from the ditch, climbed into his car, and started up the road that led toward the north. The sun was just coming over the hills on his right. As he peered ahead into the great land that stretched before him, the way seemed long. But the sky was bright, and he somehow felt he was headed in the right direction.”
Sometimes it’s enough to know you’re headed in the right direction, even if you don’t know the final destination. I have years of experience with this. It’s not always the easiest, but when I’m on the road that’s in the right direction, God is faithful in encouraging me to keep going and trust that all will be well.
Stuart also teaches us how fulfilling life can be when we live it to the fullest, whether that’s seeking adventures in our own backyard or taking some steps a bit further away. He was always up for trying something different or something new. I don’t know if it’s age, life, the ripples of the pandemic, or a mix of all three, but I haven’t done this as often in recent times. I want to get back in the habit of trying new things (or even things where it’s been awhile).
If you haven’t read a children’s book in a while, I invite you to. There’s always something to be gleaned and as my friend C.S. Lewis once wrote: “Someday you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again.”
He’s no Reepicheep, but not too shabby Stuart. What about you? Do any of Stuart’s lessons resonate with you? What about other children’s books that hit you differently as an adult?
© 2023 Jamie Lapeyrolerie