The Thinker

The other day, during my morning walk, I saw this man struggling with his garbage can. I almost walked past him, but instead I stopped and asked him if he needed help. He then asked me the following question: "Am I that pitiful that I look like I need help?" To which I replied: "You don't look pitiful, but the bottom of that garbage can does." This response made him laugh and say, "You're a thinker. I like that." His words were so reassuring and uplifting that I floated along for the rest of my walk. That’s because, throughout my childhood, my dad always told us (his kids) - Think for yourself. These instructions were ingrained in us. I also remember the moment when I learned how to think. I had failed a test in my middle school history class, and after my mom was done fussing, she sat me down and showed me the difference between memorizing facts and understanding concepts. Once I understood the concepts, I was able to figure out the facts, and I received an A on my test. From that moment on, I became The Thinker. It’s how I approach my writing. And the work I create often forces children to think. I never thought about it before now, but I’m sure it’s one of the reasons why I’m so passionate about Sule the Proverb Detective – because proverbs make us think. So now take a moment to, think about this proverb: “The family is the first school for the child.”