Sneetch story

My son has such genuine feelings on behalf of the sneetches without stars on their bellies. His level of empathy is fantastic — all I could ever hope for in a child I’m raising.

Though, it is not so hard to feel feelings within the world of Dr. Suess. Who among us doesn’t think those star-bellied sneetches are a bunch of snoots-in-the-air big dummies?

As we paused on the illustration of the excluded sneetches before turning the page, he told me that the star-bellies are mean. He righteously stated that HE likes the star-less sneetches. I could tell by the look on his face that, for the moment, he was unencumbered by his own ego and well-known desire to be everyone’s beloved center of attention, and that he was putting himself in someone else’s shoes.

My greatest wish is that there will be enough of these moments to build a lifelong well of kindness, compassion, and on occasion, righteousness for the thousands (millions?) of human beings he will meet, including folks without stars on thars.

Related: An “On Beyond Zebra” achievement.

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