lessons learned: edward the emu

One of my favorite books as a child and now reading to my toddler is Edward the Emu by Sheena Knowles. If you haven't read it, here's a link to amazon because seriously, its fantastic. It is simple, fun to read, and just a lovely story. Every time I read this, a few very grown-up lessons make themselves clear to me. I find encouragement in this children's book that I would love to share with you.

Spoiler Alert: Much of this books text is copied in the text below. 

"Edward the emu was sick of the zoo,
There was nowhere to go, there was nothing to do,
And compared to the seals that lived right next door,
Well being an emu was frankly a bore."

Lesson 1: Everyone gets the itch. Something else has got to be bigger, better, more exciting than the mundane lives we may have. So-and-so is living the dream! What am I doing with my life!? Maybe if I'm more like them...

Well Edward was really enjoying the day,

till he overheard someone behind the fence say,

"The seals are always amusing its true,

but the lions are the best thing I see at the zoo."

Lesson 2: Everyone has an opinion on the life you choose to live, the decisions you make, and the person that you are. They're behind the fence! They don't live your life. They don't know your story. They haven't had the experiences that have brought you to this place in your life. Also, you can't please everyone. Someone will always be wishing you were "more _____."

Well Edward was just warming up for the day,

When he overheard one of the visitors say,

"The snakes are impressive I know that is true,

but the emus are by far the best thing at the zoo."

"The emu!" gasped Edward, "My goodness that's me,

I'm the thing that gentleman most likes to see.

Not the seals, the lions, the snakes and the rest,

It's Edward the emu he likes to see best."

Lesson 3: You are loved. You may not be everyone's favorite, you may not have the ability to offer what everyone needs in a friend or relationship, but someone (and I'm going to go out on a limb here and say many people) just want YOU. They see value in you, because you are irreplaceable. You can try being everyone else, meeting everyone's expectations, but you so critically need to be you. What is that saying? Be you, everyone else is taken.

 Side note: This is my favorite part to read to my son, he laughs hysterically every time I gasp at "THE EMU!? My goodness that's me!")

Edward ran to the place where he used to reside,

But Oh what a shock when he clambered inside.

He found himself came suddenly face to face

With the emu they brought in to take Edward's place.

The emus considered each other for a while,

Then the new emu said, with a shy little smile,

"Hello, I'm Edwina it's nice meeting you,

You're the best thing I've seen since I came to the zoo."

Lesson 4: Your journey is just that. A journey just for you, and it may lead you through so many twists and turns and your future will be better for it if you wind up coming back to being true to yourself. Edward the Emu worked for this journey or self-discovery. He mimicked several groups of people... I mean animals... trying to find excitement and acceptance. In the end, he learned he was valued, he learned he was important, and he found his life and experiences had been expanded. 

We all have a connection with Edward the Emu. Getting caught up in a desire for adventure and excitement, trying new things and new identities. The second half of the story is the resolve many people need in their life. Discover your individuality, know you are irreplaceable, and come back to being the best version of yourself you can be. Who knows what your future will hold...

No really... I don't know what the future held for Edward the Emu. However with how much I adore him and his new-found lady friend Edwina, I think it's time I order the second book...

Next up on lessons learned from children's stories: Pete the Cat. Stay tuned, Pete is pretty epic.