There was a time when the month of December was a time to explore the rich literary heritage of inspirational holiday stories; however, in the past decade, most of us who teach in public schools have steered away from holiday stories as we walk the careful line separating "churches" and our "state.".Yet there are tales and messages that perhaps we might consider introducing because they go beyond any religion and represent the complexity of life and relationships.
As I lay in be last night thinking about the holiday gifts I should 1) buy this weekend; 2) wrap this weekend; and 3) mail this weekend, I was thinking about the O Henry tale of the Magi. I haven't read the story in many years; yet the story IS part of my thinking about the holiday season. I guess you could call it one of my "mentor texts!"
Amazon says of the story and it's author" O. Henry first lived a checkered life as a cowhand, bank teller, reporter, embezzler, and convict. Then, in a last-minute reversal worthy of one of his own stories, he turned to fiction, and became a celebrated author of ironic miniatures. "The Gift of the Magi" is perhaps his most famous creation. And while this exploration of love and gift-giving doesn't exactly plumb the depths of human behavior, it does leave us with the final picture of Jim (sans watch) and Della (sans hair, or most of it), which has induced even the crankiest readers to shed a tear"
The deeply in love yet penniless characters sold their most prized possessions (a comb and a pocket watch) to buy a presents for one another; yet their sacrifices meant they could not use their "gifts." For teachers, the tale may be a reminder that some holiday stories may still have a "place" in our classrooms as we reflect on the human spirit and the power of love. The message is that loving and caring about others has NOTHING do do with gifts at all! This holiday season and all year through, we should remember that the TIME we make to be together is really the best gift of all.
No comments:
Post a Comment