What if The Little Engine couldn’t
or didn’t want to …
written by
Jeannette
Zink
July 14,
2018
I have
always loved the children’s book, The
Little Engine That Could. The rhythmic and reaffirming – I think I can. I think I can. – has gotten me over many a bumpy road throughout the gravel
pits of life. Then, of course, when victory prevailed, and accomplishments were
achieved, I rejoiced in a loud and mighty confident voice … I thought I could. I thought I could!
So, now that
I have more spare time to ponder the what
if questions that float through my retired status universe. I took on the
mighty and weighty questions that now come to light as I re-read this beloved
children’s story. For example, …
What
if my beloved The Little Blue Engine couldn’t or even more devastating – didn’t want to -- puff, puff, chug, chug its way over that monster
mountain towing the broken engine filled with toys and good food for the
children on the other side. What if
it was just simply too much for The Little Blue Engine, no matter all good
intentions and good karma mindfulness.
What
if fear was stronger than bravery for The Little Blue Engine; after
all, “over the mountain” was a new and foreign land for The Little Blue Engine.
What
if the toys had never morphed magically into their life-like persona.
Who would have told the story, who would have negotiated with the other trains,
and who would have convinced The Little
Engine That Could that it could serve a higher purpose in life
than to switch out other trains … I ask you, who???
What
if the funny little toy clown had been the negative type with
absolutely no leadership skills.
What
if the toys had garnered their energies and ingenuity to repair the
broken little Number 7 train. What if they had not relied on the
benevolent heart of the smaller and less equipped Little Blue Engine.
What
if the Shiny New Passenger Engine or the Big Strong Freight Engine or
the Rusty Old Engine had just completed the train company’s sensitivity program
and saw opportunities to help others as a blessing and not an annoying inconvenience.
What
if the children on the other side of that monster mountain were no
longer there because their families had moved to another village with better
employment prospects.
What
if we were kinder and gentler with the caring hearts to serve others …
would we need this story.
What
if we were the joyful toys and the good food that fed the hearts and
souls of the universe.
What
if we were The Little Engine That
Could … in all its glorious Can-Do
persona!
What
if we are now The Little Engine that thought, could and did … oh, what a beautiful place that
would be.
What
if we could now tell a different story because we are much better today
than we were yesterday and will be tomorrow.
What
if The Little Engine That Could
had never been conceived, written and illustrated because there was never a
need to tell this story.
What
if …
There is a
mystical gracefulness in the stories that remain with us from our childhood.
They are the fantastical wand that with one wave can take the unbearable and
mysterious dark corners of our lives and shine the rays of reassuring light …
the relief and hope that we can and will make it over each monstrous mountain
on the brave wings of our faithful Little Blue Engine.
What
if …
The need for
The Little Engine That Could be
simply to remind us that there is always a way to the other side of kindness if
we climb the steps of desire with a caring heart, cast our fears and doubts on
the sideline and believe we can and will be better than we were yesterday.
What
if …
To know and
learn from The Little Engine That Could
will hopefully pave the way to a better way that holds in wait for us … we just
need to make the effort … just like The Little Blue Engine.
What
if … my kindred spirits … what if.
