Lessons Learned from "The Rainbow Fish"

I would have to say that the sweetest part of my day is reading to Lydia before bedtime. (This is the only time she'll sit still!) I love reading, and I couldn't wait to start reading to my daughter. I enjoy the stories (especially the one's with a moral or lesson to be learned), LOVE the cuddle time, and I can't resist squeezing my baby when she is in her soft, warm pajamas. Lydia also loves story time. When me or Brian sit down in the big reading chair with a story book in hand; Lydia crawls as fast as she can towards us, pulls herself up with a smile, eager to begin story time.

We have accumulated quite the Children's Library this past year, and one of my favorite children's books in our library is the Marcus Pfister classic "The Rainbow Fish." We all remember that story right? It's about a beautiful  Rainbow Fish with shiny, colorful scales who refused to play with the other fish in the sea, because he thought he was too beautiful. One day, a small blue fish asked him for one of his sparkly scales and the Rainbow Fish refused. Then the other fish did not want to be around him anymore. The rest of the story outlines the Rainbow Fish's quest for counsel as to why no one liked him, and what he could do to make friends. 

One night Brian was reading this cute story to Lydia. It was the first time he had ever read The Rainbow Fish. Lydia was cuddled up to him in the big rocking chair, and I was sitting on the couch listening with a grin. 

"...He went to the starfish for help. "Brian read, "Why doesn't anybody like me?" he asked. "Go ask the octopus," said the star fish. "She is very wise. The octopus said, "Give away your shining scales. You wont be as beautiful but you will have friends." "I can't do that!" cried the Rainbow Fish." Brian continued to read, while me and Lydia enjoyed the story. 

"Suddenly the little blue fish was back. "Please," he said. "Could I have just one scale?" Well the Rainbow Fish thought. Maybe just one tiny little scale. The little blue fish was so pleased, it made the Rainbow Fish feel happy. Soon all the fish came, and the Rainbow Fish gave away his scales, one by one. Finally he had only one shining scale left. But now, as he swam off to play with his friends, he was the happiest fish in the sea."

I smiled as Brian shut the book, thinking what a wonderful lesson for little kids to learn about the importance of sharing. I was just about to open my mouth and express how much I loved it when Brian suddenly exclaimed,

"And that Lydia is how you buy friends."

HAHAHAHAHA! I laughed hysterically. I guess the lessons learned from the Rainbow Fish are bit different from a dad's perspective. :)   

Here's to Happy Reading Everyone!