Reading Bedtime Stories Set Me Thinking About Chicken Little

And off I was directed to the world of honesty and integrity

Last week, I wrote about the bedtime stories I read to my children. This reminded me of elementary school when I read the story of Chicken Little. I remember thinking, “OK, Chicken Little cried wolf when it was nothing but an acorn and not the sky that fell on her head.”

“Good, Edward,” said Mrs. D the love of my life, and I was happy. And that was a good thing.

That was it for Chicken for years until I did some homework. My goodness, philosophers, pundits, psychiatrists, and clairvoyants have offered interpretations of the story. I’ll give them their due (sort of), hoping they did not char it as philosophers and their buddies are wont to do.

The story was printed in the early nineteenth century by a Danish folklorist, Mathias Thiele, who published a version in 1823. Another edition states that Joseph Jacobs wrote the story, first titled Henny Penny.

In America, John Green Chandler popularized the tale with the help of Sarah Josepha Hale, best remembered for writing the rhyme Mary Had a Little Lamb.

The tale’s messages were simple . . . not stoking fear in others, not forming incorrect conclusions from insufficient data, and not taking other people’s word for things, especially when they are making extraordinary claims that require more evidence.

Chicken Little was wrong to conclude that the sky was falling simply because she had been hit on the head by an acorn. It’s wrong to extrapolate awful experiences into reality, but we all do it in some way at times.

Chicken Little acts irresponsibly by spreading a false rumor that incites fear.

Her friends must also take their share of the blame for believing without question. In many ways, they’re worse than their friend who at least had some evidence, the acorn. Goosey Loosey, Cocky Locky, Ducky Daddles, Turkey Lurkey, Gander Pander and Foxy Loxy were content to take a friend’s word without questioning.

Courtesy of FairyTales.info

Several moral teachings overlap into one narrative; drawing incorrect conclusions from insufficient data; stoking fear in others without good cause, and taking other people’s word for things, especially when they make extraordinary claims that require verifying.

Whether this mitigates Chicken Little’s irresponsible fearmongering or is simple stupidity and misinformation is hard to say.

The story segued me into further thoughts of honesty and integrity; thoughts embedded in Chicken’s story.

I am troubled by the lack of integrity in our political system. I am troubled by the inherent anger among politicians; anger fueling a divide in our country.

I had a restless night after watching the evening news and observing several so-called leaders misplace their honesty, get away from objectivity, and completely forget what integrity means. Was The Chicken creeping in?

I thought of a venerable patient, one who oozed experience, the working man philosopher. Each time I saw him, he chanted, “Doc, if someone tells the truth, they need never worry. But lie, do the wrong thing . . . worry.” The man set an example for honesty and integrity, and he did it with ease. Why are we losing those admirable traits in our great country? What happened? Have we misplaced, forgotten perhaps, the simple definitions of truth?

Are we getting Chicken Littled?

Honesty and integrity are attributes, especially for our leaders during trying times. Honesty is more than just not lying. It is speaking the truth . . . saying how something is. It shouldn’t be difficult. It means your actions, with emphasis on your, are honest, truthful, and visible.

It means declaring how something happened, based on facts. Sure, at times, it can be considered complex because one must cultivate the habit. But I don’t believe it. It’s simple. Why is adhering to facts so difficult to understand?

Chicken, why did you not look at that acorn?

Integrity requires a bit more thinking and effort. It is not only the need to be honest but also to adhere to moral and ethical guidelines despite personal interests or outside pressure. Ponder the power of integrity . . . upholding personal and professional standards while maintaining sound judgment and NOT yielding pressure.

Chicken, did you not have your friends and colleagues in mind when you screeched your story?

“Integrity,” said author C.S. Lewis, “is doing the right thing, even when no one is looking.” Integrity is the bedrock upon which good character is built. And where there is integrity, humility follows.

It is difficult for me to watch the news and the politicians. They either avoid the question, make up an answer, or lie. What is going on? I was never taught those warped values and, if I showed any lack thereof, I paid the consequences.

Chicken, were you setting a bad example by not garnering the facts?

Do the right thing. Be honest. Adhere to the facts. We need our leaders to do so, especially when we are divided. Rather than the negative energy involved in pointing fingers, would it not be much better to direct our energies to the truth?

Embrace honesty. Embrace integrity. If so, you need not worry. A decent culture demands it.

A little acorn fell on Chicken Little’s little head, and she thought the world was collapsing.

Has an acorn fallen on our heads? Does it mean our world is collapsing?

I have an idea.

Rather than create fear, why not pick up that acorn, dig a hole, and plant a tree that might bear the fruits of integrity, honesty, and caring? Then The World won’t fall on your head.

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