I managed to catch an episode of The Little House on the Prairie. I haven't seen one of those in years. Decades. I remember liking the series a lot, though.So there I was, catching the end of an adventure. And it didn't take me long to figure out what was going to happen. The kids were about to be found out, Mr. Ingalls would first be mad, then see their point. Knowing that their hearts were in the right place, he would turn around and help them, defend them even against less understanding adults. And then they would all come out victorious in whatever dilemma they were about to solve.
The moral of the story would be that if your heart is in the right place, it's OK to bend the rules sometimes. And if your heart is in the right place, other people will recognize your moral superiority, and allow you to bend those same rules.
I really wonder if this is a good lesson for kids to learn. I mean, it's an awful lot of trust to put in the world. I did recognize the warm fuzzies that come with Mr. Ingalls saving the day. But just because it feels good doesn't mean it's right, right?
3 comments:
I loved Little House on the Prairie. :)
I saw it as an attempt to do that which was healthy for oneself - mind, body and soul.
For me, the moral was learning that not everything legal is healthy and not everything healthy is legal.
I'd much rather assume the best in others and put my trust out there into the world. I like warm fuzzies!
Of course, I've had to learn how to protect when necessary, too.
Great thought-provoker! :)
I agree with you, absolutely. I am idealistic, and I want to remain that way. Yet, at the same time, trust is a dangerous thing. It only works if the world around you has a basic understanding for you. If you are perceived to be 'different', you can't always afford the luxury of trusting others. When I was younger, I didn't know this. And I think that's why the series looked so different to me now.
I hear you. For me, trust is not a dangerous thing, but dangerous people are a dangerous thing. Once we learn how to see danger in another, we can safely navigate around them - without giving away/losing our trust to them - so that we can find a safe place. Of course, it's not always easy, but it is worth the adventure! :)
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