Rants & Rambles Cafe: Time to Pay the Piper

Once upon a time, there was a town infested with rats. The people feared they would succumb to the monstrous plague, but as the adults met in their town hall about the issue, a stranger entered the room, bearing few possessions other than a musical pipe.

"I will take care of your rat problem in one night, but I require sufficient payment," the man announced.

The townspeople desperately agreed to the terms, offering a generous price to the man, if he succeeded.

That night, as the people slept, the man went to work and began playing a somber tune that echoed through all of their homes. The rats were allured by the sound and left their nest behind, never to be heard from again.

But, when the piper returned for his payment, the townspeople pretended to owe him nothing and that the rats had left on their own. The piper warned them that - if he was not paid - the people would regret their treachery forever. They wouldn't listen and merely banished him.

The following night, as the people rested soundly, a new tune was played. And every child, from toddler to teenager, rose from their beds and left the town, following the piper's song. The people never saw the piper, nor their children, again.

~ . ~ . ~ . ~

Reflecting upon this tragic tale, I think of our children, of future generations. I watch the people of these United States pay thousands, indeed millions, of dollars to football stars, to Hollywood actors... and I look to the schools, as they fail to meet the governmental standards for education and, ultimately, fail to prepare the students for the future.

Adults are happily entertained with sports and media, as we toss dollar bills at anyone who will give us an escape from the trivial routine and depressingly dull responsibilities. But who is truly paying for our entertainment, suffering for our choices?

Our children.

It is so sad how little funding goes into our educational program and how so many American schools spend what they do get. Not to mention how we think our government is capable of deciding what makes a child educated. How would they know? Do politicians raise the best children? Alright, I don't mean to judge by stereotype; I'm sure there is many a loving politician parent.

Even so, why is our government given the power over school? That is just as absurd as having the president decide what our preachers can preach on Sundays! We separate church and state; why don't we separate school and state?

Did you hear the rumor there's a direct correlation between the decline in P.E./recess time at school and the incline in ADHD diagnoses?

Wow, shocker! We're taking away the opportunity for kids to expend their physical energy but blaming them for not sitting still!

We're teaching them that exercise is unruly in hopes they'll act more civilized, but that only drives them further toward their phones, computers, and consoles. Take it from someone who grew up with a lot of video games! Kids have so much natural energy, and that's a good thing!

But when they just can't sit still, we prescribe them drugs to turn them into zombies. At least zombies sit there and listen while the drool dribbles from their hanging jaws, right?

How many teachers have to pretend the curriculum is entertaining, telling kids there's something wrong with them if they can't sit still and pay attention?

We're robbing our children of their best chance because we're failing to invest in their futures.

We're not paying the piper, and we're going to regret it.

So, what do we do?

That... is an excellent question. I may be angry, but I'm just one termite chewing on this barrier. We're going to need a lot more termites to crumble the disgustingly solid traditions and regulations plaguing our home!

Parents, I know it's tough to raise kids and have a full-time job and all your other unspoken responsibilities! But your children need you more than ever in this messed-up world, so do what you can to make them feel loved and to help them want to learn and develop into incredible adults! And, when I say learn, I don't mean to tell your kids, "Sit down and read a book!" Learning can happen anywhere; many believe the best way to learn is through play. Seriously. People sometimes think that, if you're having fun, you're probably not learning, but humans are naturally curious and love to learn. The problem is that we make it a duty instead of a privilege.

Teachers, gosh, I don't envy you! You're babysitters, parents, teachers, and psychiatrists all rolled into one, but with a paltry salary! But I think your jobs would be a whole lot easier if you had curriculum your children enjoyed, and if your kids got a nice break now and then to let out all their wiggles! In fact, maybe we should throw out the uniform rows of desks anyway; sheesh, it's like standard schools are determined to look boring and prison-like!

For the curriculum designers, we need people who can empathize with kids while also comprehending what lessons truly need to be taught. Remember, it's not about the facts the kids memorize; it's about teaching them how to learn.

If you know HOW to learn, you can learn anything!

Our kids need to know how to pursue their passions in this world in the most effective and fulfilling way!

I'm going to shock the world with this statement... kids like to play.

"(Gasp) What? No! No, it can't be!"

Sorry, little bit of sarcasm there...

Seriously, what's so wrong with playing? Can someone actually answer that million-dollar question?

I say we throw out the old traditions that aren't working and that are only increasing the amount of children who allegedly have ADHD or whatever other conditions we pump them full of drugs for!

I say we let the kids play... let them play all day, under the supervision of teachers. With the resources and tools to guide them, they'll learn while doing what they naturally want to do!

If there's one lesson I have retained throughout my childhood and transition to adulthood, it's that you learn far more effectively if you're enjoying the process.

Your mind shuts off when you really don't care what people are trying to cram into it!

"Oh, but kids will just be lazy and sit on their phones if you give them freedom. They won't learn a thing!"

No. Just... no. You know why kids hate "learning?" Because of the way adults have painted the word. We've made it this ugly, boring, and required thing, making kids think schools are all about rules and humiliation—I mean, er, regulation!

Kids love learning, sometimes without even knowing they're doing it! They love figuring out why something works the way it does. They're like adults in that they have the natural curiosity, but they're even better because their curiosity and imagination are in turbo mode! They learn more quickly, and they're more accepting of new ideas, because the world hasn't yet told them it's stupid to try new things!

Boy, I'm really rambling here. It's just that... schools could be amazing... really, so unbelievably and undeniably amazing if we just stopped and asked:

"Why is it so important to keep things the way they are?"

Obviously, life isn't perfect, so why should we stop trying to make it better? If humans really believed the world couldn't be improved, we would still be in the dark ages, without coffee...

...

...Okay, I just went a little too dark there... let me wipe away the tears.

Ugh, it's infuriating how we've slipped into our ruts and, because we've somehow twisted our minds to think the rut is good and comfortable. We're dragging our children down with us, scolding them for even suggesting there's something beyond our little rut!

Guys, we are those townspeople! We aren't paying the piper, because we're too comfortable with the way things are. We're afraid of opening that can of worms, that Pandora's Box, and finally admitting that... maybe things could be better.

"Comfort," P.T. Barnum once said, "The enemy of progress."

...Okay, I don't know if he actually said that, or if that was just Hugh Jackman, but in any case!

One step at a time, when we decide to do what's right, we can make this world a better place for our children. They're the ones who have to pick up the pieces of our mess and try to make a future out of it.

How about we clean up our rooms for them for a change?

Thanks so much for visiting the Rants and Rambles Cafe! Maybe next time, you should bring some popcorn; my rage can make quite a lights show!

See you next time!