Sometimes we learn life-lessons in the most unexpected places. I picked up an important truth from today's Far Side cartoon. A truth that my parents struggled to teach me and, now, I'm struggling to teach my kids.I've always been a fan of The Far Side cartoon. I was devastated when Gary Larsen, the creator, illustrator, genius behind The Far Side went into retirement some years back. However, at least in rerun, he's back!
Gary Larsen has put out a 2007 desk calendar (you know, the peal-a-page-a-day kind) featuring some of his finest work from over the years. It's kind of a Best Of calendar. He did it as a benefit to Conservation International (www.conservation.org/trade), to whom all the profits will go.
Today's cartoon featured two deer (a doe and a buck), a policeman, and a deer hunter all in the front room of the deer's home. The buck is laying on the floor, dead, in his overturned chair in front of the television. The hunter is standing in the open entry door with his rifle tucked under his arm. The policeman is examining the hunter's license in his hand as he addresses the doe. He says, "I'm sorry, ma'am, but his license does check out and, after all, your husband was in season." And now comes the life-lesson: "Remember, just because he knocks doesn't mean that you have to let him in."
How eloquently taught! When trouble comes knocking, we don't have to open the door . . . I'd like to enlarge today's Far Side to poster-size and hang it over the dinner table. Before every meal, we could read it and discuss how this knowledge, this agency to open or not open, can potentially impact our lives for good or bad.
So, thank you Gary Larsen for providing me with the visual aid to teach my family such an important concept!
Cheers,
-Mike.
2 comments:
I love Far Side! I didn't know there is a 2007 calendar. Where did you get it?
I received it as a Christmas gift. I think it was purchased from our local Barnes & Noble.
Thanks for commenting,
-Mike.
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