Growing up, books were my solace, a window to worlds and characters just waiting to be explored. I could spend hours emersed in a story not knowing it was embedding within me subtle things unseen. Much of my morality formed from my understanding of those worlds and their many characters’ struggles. The injustices that permeated their world fueled a fire within me to see the wrongs brought to right. My understanding of love and longing was crafted through tales of “Will they won’t they” and soul mates star crossed by the narrative but destined for each other, nonetheless.

It was a limited view, but to my young and naïve eyes, those books were the greatest window to the world that awaited me in adulthood. I think of this now, as I recall one of the first books that captured my interest and intercepted my perception of being. A simple book, many of us read and loved, by an Author whose literary mark seems so seldom rivaled in the world.

When dear Dr. Seuss penned his tale, I want to think it was with good intention;

Encouraging young children all over the world, to try new things and keep an open mind.

But when I revisit it in my memory, the lesson I find is far less pleasant.

I think of a meal imposed and a fox, persistent as a cold;

a Seussical tale bearing a moral to not heed my own no.

A lesson I imagine, maybe hope, was unintended.

So what if this new thing comes from a stranger?

Indifferent grumpiness is unwarranted from us;

For he is but harmless Sam-I-am.

Ever so charming and aloof with his smiles.

How could one ever doubt his wiles?

Especially when he comes bearing a gift so grand, meal on hand.

The meal, though green and unrequested,

To us, he deems it must be gifted.

His persistence; good natured.

His intentions; pure.

So, what we don’t want it; he knows we will like it.

We will like it, but if only we were to try it.

And deny it, deny it, deny it we do.

But persistent as ever, that Fox like a flu.

Deny it, deny it till finally we do.

Relenting and cornered, we try it like he knew we would.

And as the lesson goes, despite all resistance,

Thanks to Sam I Am, we find we liked it.

The lesson learned, ignore our No,

For that Sam I am, knows us most.

Persistence rewarded and a meal consumed whole.

What a lesson for a little girl to learn

With so much life yet to grow,

She learns not to heed her No.