The Median Sib

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

I spent awhile at the bookstore yesterday, and ended up buying Kate DiCamillo’s newest book, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane.  I read the entire book this afternoon, and what a wonderful book it is!  The story is about Edward Tulane, a 3-ft high rabbit made almost entirely of china.  It’s a tale of Edward’s life and adventures as he grows a heart capable of embracing love and all the hurts and joys that come with it. 

The story reminds me of The Velveteen Rabbit who wanted to be “real.”  Initially Edward is content being self-involved and vain.  He learns to love, but he also learns that love isn’t always wonderful.  It involves pain and sadness, too. After many mishaps he decides not to open his heart again. The ending is predictable but still touching.

One could make a unit of study on quotes from the book.  Some examples:

Whom the whiskers had belonged to initially - what unsavory animal - was a question that Edward could not bear to consider for too long.  And so he did not.  He preferred, as a rule, not to think of unpleasant thoughts.

She leaned close to him.  She whispered, “You disappoint me.”

Edward felt something damp in his ears.  Abilene’s tears, he supposed.  He wished that she would not hold him so tight.  To be clutched so fiercely often resulted in wrinkled clothing.

Edward, for lack of anything better to do, began to think. He thought about the stars . . . . Never in my life, he thought, have I been farther away from the stars than I am now.

“Perhaps,” said the man, “you would like to be lost with us.  I have found it much more agreeable to be lost in the company of others.”

Edward knew what it was like to say over and over again the names of those you had left behind.  He knew what it was like to miss someone.  And so he lsitened. And in his listening, his heart opened wide and then wider still.

You are down there alone, the stars seemed to say to him.  And we are up here, in our constellations, together.

I have been loved, Edward told the stars.

So? said the stairs.  What difference does that make when you are all alone now?

Look at me, he said to her.  His arms and legs jerked.  Look at me.  You got your wish.  I have learned how to love.  And it’s a terrible thing.  I’m broken. My heart is broken.  Help me.

“Two options only,” he said.  “And your friend chose option two.  He gave you up so that you could be healed.  Extraordinary, really.”

“I have already been loved,” said Edward.  “I have been loved by a girl named Abilene.  I have been loved by a fisherman and his wife and a hobo and his dog.  I have been loved by a boy who played the harmonica and by a girl who died.  Don’t talk to me about love,” he said.  “I have known love.”

He prided himself on not hoping, on not allowing his heart to lift inside of him.  He prided himself on keeping his heart silent, immobile, closed tight.

I am done with hope, thought Edward Tulane.

The old doll said, “I wonder who will come for me this time.  Someone will come.  Someone always comes.  Who will it be?”

“You disappoint me greatly.  If you have no intention of loving or being loved, then the whole journey is pointless.”

I got carried away with quotes.  There are so many good ones.  If you want a book that will make you think, that will show both the good and bad of life, then this would be an excellent choice for you.

I got this story from here.  It’s a letter from a soldier in Iraq. The election last week didn’t make me angry.  I don’t feel rage or helplessness.  Since the election on Tuesday I’ve felt mostly sadness - sadness that our citizens don’t have the stamina and determination to stand up for ourselves.  Sadness that we have become a nation of appeasers - and thus we are a nation on the decline.  This soldier’s letter expresses how I feel:

“I hope you are satisfied with what you have done…

Today in the mess hall, where there is usually jovial conversation, there was silence, long faces, and broken spirits… Everyone, to include all American soldiers, marines, sailors, airmen, Iraqi Nationals, Bulgarian Soldiers, etc, etc… was speechless, tired, demoralized and stunned…. all ate in eerie silence…..

Last night, while we watched the press conference with the President, there was utter disgust, and the common feeling amongst us all that we soldiers are now the loneliest people on Earth…. we fight an enemy over here, and we have a country full of enemies to go home to that are our countrymen. We watched President Bush say his own political funeral, our commander and chief.. as well as ours….. He tried so hard to spin it, but… well.. there is no way to soften such a morale blow.

While you sit and Monday morning quarterback what we work so hard to do for you out here, just know that the spirit of your team is wounded….. YOU liberals, you America have done a great job of demoralizing us… Thank you.

Do us a favor though, when we do come home, spare us the ceremony……. We all now know that it is a bunch of crap, and what you think of us…….

I have to say that right now, I would rather be a pussy ass Frenchman, even though they have no will to fight, at least they have the balls to make a decision and stick with it…… They stuck to their guns about staying out of this war, even if it was the wrong decision……America on the other hand, goes off half cocked, and when the decision appears to be a hard one, or something that might cost a little bit, they turn tail and run…..

WHAT A NATION OF PUSSIES!!!!

This week I am NOT proud to say that I am an American……….I think it is obvious why… See, we just have told the world that we are not a nation of people who are tough, and will fight for what we believe in… We have told the world that we are a giant coward that will shy away from any difficult challenge…

So, while you eat your cheetos, and sit there and watch your lazy ass get fatter, dumber and happier Joe Citizen.. Just remember this, I, and all my commrades payed a dear price to come this far and have you decide that we should fail…

Realize this, because of your action this week America…. do not expect so many men to be so willing to stand up for your next little whim just to be cut down in the middle of it all…………

Realize this also.. you have just put a heavy price on the heads of us all…… Now that we are branded as cowards, we are an easy target, oh so inviting for the taking……. I swore to protect your children in your beds…. yet you fling the door wide open inspite of me to invite the scourge…. Well…. have it your way then.

Because of this, September 11th will soon be overshadowed by these same enemies.. my advice to you is get your lazy, self centered ass up and make peace with your God, and your family.. cause, time will come when they may not be there for you…………….Because you kicked me in the teeth, and so many others, I know I won’t any more.. “

The liberals (i.e. progressives, Democrats) will likely pull our troops out of Iraq soon.  The reality of how the dems feel about our troops (shown in their actions rather than their sound bites) will be obvious.  Our soldiers will have died in vain because we don’t have the will and the perseverance to see the job through.  And because of the outcome of the election, even more will die as the enemy becomes further emboldened.

The liberals moan about how we conservative call them un-patriotic.  I don’t use the term lightly or out of anger.  Actions speak louder than words.  They can talk all they want about how they love the USA, but what they’re doing will bring about its demise.

Tiara-tip to Raven who hat-tips Michael.