The Mysteries of an Elephant

Today’s post is not typical of PBT. I’m featuring 2 books based on an ancient Indian tale traditionally called The Parable of the Blind Men and the Elephant.

I’ll explore why either of these books would be fun and beneficial for a faith family. The labels at the bottom of this post will give you some ideas as well. You might even find another picture book based on this tale. Separately, I’ll give you some details for both books. The first book featured would be more appropriate for preschoolers or young elementary children. The second book attributes the story to Rumi, a wonderful 13^th century Persian poet who wrote The Elephant in the Dark as a part of a lengthy book of poems. 

This elephant parable is about the human tendency to make judgments and argue based on our limited experiences and perspectives. Both experience and perspective are crucial, but they can be misleading and righteous judgments can cause division. 

Faith families struggle with these issues. Too often people of faith think they have God all figured out when they simply have projected their experiences and perspective onto a limited image of God. Divisions are often due to such stalwart and narrow thinking. This old story is applied to theology often. In his most recent book about The Holy Trinity, The Divine Dance, Father Richard Rohr says, "We are like blind people touching the side of an elephant, describing the tiny portion we feel with all the conviction we can muster."

Delving in to this human tendency would be beneficial for children and adults in your faith family, but let them decide what the story is telling them about human nature. Don't impose onto them your interpretation of the book or you'll be demonstrating this human tendency yourself! 

Picture Book: Seven Blind Mice

Author & Illustrator: Ed Young

Summary: One by one, seven blind mice explore a strange "something." After each excursion, the mouse gives a different explanation. It’s a pillar…

It’s a snake…

It's a fan...

and so on until the 7^th mouse manages to investigate the whole elephant and declares what it truly is.

This book ends with a “Mouse Moral”

Knowing in part may make a fine tale,

but wisdom comes from seeing the whole.

Original Publisher & Date: Puffin, 2002

Age & Grade Appropriateness: 3 and up, Pre and up

Formats other than Book: Tablet, Audio

Scripture Connections: Trust God; don’t try to lean on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5); … but some doubted (Matthew 28: 17b); If I understand all mysteries but do not love, I am nothing (1 Corinthians 13:2) 

Picture Book: Elephant in the Dark:                                                                 Based on a Poem by Rumi

Retold: Mina Javaherbin

Illustrator: Eugene Yelchin 

Summary: Rumi’s poetic tale The Three Blind Men and the Elephant is beautifully illustrated here. 

Villagers hear of a magnificent creature that has been brought from India by a traveling merchant. 

When they confront the merchant and demand to see the creature, he tells them to let him sleep. 

The villagers decide to inspect the creature themselves.

One by one, several people sneak into the dark barn where the creature is being kept, but they inspect the creature only in part and with haste.

One man says it’s like a snake. 

After wrapping his arms around the elephant's leg,

one man says it's a tree. 

The elephant's ear 

convinces a woman it's a fan. 

This results in lots of arguing and name calling and even shouting and shoving. 

When the merchant arises and parades the awesome elephant through the village, the villagers are too busy fighting to notice the stunning creature or realize how wrong they are. 

But, the children notice and are fascinated! 

This book has in the back an Author's Note and an Illustrator's Note. Check them out before reading to your audience.

Original Publisher & Date: Scholastic, 2015

Age & Grade Appropriateness: 4 and up, Pre and up

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Scripture Connections: Trust in the Lord; do not lean on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-8); … but some doubted (Matthew 28: 17b); If I reveal all God’s mysteries but don’t love, I am nothing (1 Corinthians 13:2) 

Singing Praise is for the Birds

Picture Book: Sing…Sing a Song

Lyrics: Joe Raposa

Illustrator: Tom Lichtenheld 

Summary: Today’s PBT book is an illustrated version of a song first sung on Sesame Street and made popular by The Carpenters. 

Three tiny birds are happy in a nest. 

Green Bird sings (green notes) 

and flies away. 

Orange Bird does the same (with orange notes). 

But when Purple Bird tries…

And tries again.

The disappointment is too much, 

it stays put and falls asleep.

Later a boy with his guitar 

joins the sleeping Purple Bird and begins singing, 

singing out loud 

and strong! 

The nest is lifted by the forceful song, 

Purple Bird gets awakened, surprised, displaced and inspired. 

It's birdsong comes spontaneously 

and Purple Bird is off to find it’s companions. 

Once reunited, 

all sing together (green, orange, AND purple notes)! 

Hanna’s Comments: This is a perfect book to explore with young children the spiritual practice of praising God. During or after your reading, talk about how God is always pleased whenever we sing, no matter how well we sing. Point out that singing is a common way to praise God, not just in a place of worship but anywhere and anytime. Teach your children this simple song. The lyrics (in English and Spanish) are in the back and you could have your children sing along with some professionals.  [Here] you’ll find a video of the song being sung by Nathan Lane and friends on Sesame Street. Don’t like this video? You’ll find many others online. You'll also find a page about the history of this song. Here at PBT, I have featured several “song books,” picture books that are simply illustrated lyrics to a familiar song. To find other song books, simply click on the word “songs” which you’ll find in the search engine at the bottom of the screen on the web version. You’ll be taken to those books as well as a few others that are about singing. You can do the same with the word "praise" to find several other PBT books that connect to that worship practice. 

Original Publisher & Date: Henry Holt & Co., 2013

Age & Grade Appropriateness: 2 and up, toddler and up

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Scripture Connections: Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! (Psalm 100:1); how good it is to sing praises to our God (Psalm 147:1); Do not worry about your life…look at the birds of the air (Matthew 6:25-26)

Idea(s) for Application: Feature this book in a lesson about singing as praise to God. Talk about how such an act pleases God and can sustain us and affirm our abilities even when they seem lacking. Also, explore Purple Bird’s struggle for this is also a book about perseverance, self-expression, and the power of music to heal.