An American Folktale, It's My Favorite Story and My Family's Favorite Too

"I think I can. I think I can. I think I can. I know I can.” Watty Piper

As a child, as a mother, and as a grandmother, my favorite bedtime story is The Little Engine That Could. While I've read hundreds of children's stories at bedtime to my children and to my grandchildren, this American folktale by Watty Piper, Arnold Munk's pen name, is a classic. Besides being very positive and uplifting, the motivational story deals with overcoming problems and challenges and finding solutions. Providing children a positive mindset and practical message, the story addresses problems and challenges that happen in life; and when there is a problem, there is always a solution. Indeed, it is a very important lesson that children can learn from this story.

Understandably, children love trains. Especially, small children who are captivated and spellbound by the sounds that trains make as they roll down the track and the sounds from their horns, bells, and whistles that trains use to communicate and use as a warning. While young children imitate the train sounds, it's no brainer that children love hearing and reading stories about trains. It's a subject and theme that interest them. This story is easy for children of all ages to understand and is a relatable tale too. I know that I enjoyed reading the story. I know that my children and grandchildren enjoyed hearing The Little Engine That Could and they requested the story to be read to them at night. No matter how many times I read the story, my children returned to this story which was my favorite and their favorite bedtime story too.

Obviously, the story is an inspiring and encouraging tale about a train engine breaking down on its way to deliver its load of toys and candy to the children on the other side of the mountain. Instinctively, children realize and recognize that's a problem. The broken-down train engine asks for help from three male train engines, and all three of the train engines refuse to help. Giving their excuses, each train engine explains and provides a reason as to why they couldn't help the broken train; such as they were too new, too important, and too old to help. However, the broken engine is courageous and continues to ask each one as they rolled by.

As a matter of fact, courage isn't always a loud roar, as thought by the cowardly lion in the Wizard of Oz. Courage can be a quiet voice saying, "I will try again." From this story, I love the fact that children learn that it's okay to ask for help. Not only is it okay, but it is also courageous. Asking for help isn't shameful and isn't a sign of weakness. In fact, it's a sign of strength! The children grasp the fact that it might take more than one, two, or more attempts before receiving the help and guidance towards resolving and solving a problem or a challenge. Learning that it's courageous to keep on trying, children understand that they should never be afraid or scared to ask for help!

Have you ever heard a child say that they were afraid to ask for help? It's heartbreaking to hear. It doesn't matter if you are young or more mature you should never be scared or afraid to ask for help. If possible, people will be helpful. I have found that people genuinely want to help and that they are willing to take the time to help.

Showing persistence and determination, the broken engine and the little blue engine show their positive tenacity and willpower throughout the story. On numerous occasions, I've reminded my grandchildren to be like the little blue engine. This reminds them to keep believing and trying. In turn, it reinforces our mantra, "To believe in ourselves and to never give up." It's always better to try and to do our best. In fact, you can do anything thing that you think you can. Because if you think you can't, guess what? You won't! As exemplified by the little blue engine, all it takes is a positive belief and determination. Having a positive mindset, you will be able to handle any problems or challenges that come along. A positive attitude and mindset are very important attributes to have at any age.

Over the years, when I am faced with a challenge, I often think of the little blue engine's persistence and optimism. Today and always, we all need to keep a positive attitude and mindset. I know, it's easier said, than done. Most likely, you have found out from experience, children pick up on things very quickly and often repeat the very words that they hear us speak. For example, you say, "Sharing is caring!" A dime to a dollar, you will hear your child reiterate those very words when you least expect them to. Be sure to set a good example. children don't always do what you say but do what they see you actually doing. As a matter of fact, by setting positive examples, the world becomes a better place.

Persistently, after the broken engine's fourth request, the little blue engine agrees to help and comes to the rescue of the broken down train. While the blue engine is little and she has never crossed the mountain before, the little blue engine wants to help and thinks about the children who will benefit and receive their toys and candy if she helps. The little blue engine believes that she can. With her willpower, positive thinking and persistence pulling and pulling, the train moves onward and upward and reaches the other side of the mountain.

Normally, small children think only about, me, me, me. The concept of thinking about others is introduced in this story. In the story, the little blue engine thinks of others. Instead of acting and being self-centered, children learn that it's good to think about others and it's good to be kind and helpful too. With a positive attitude, they can tackle any problem or challenge and accomplish any task or job through completion.

Of course, the little blue engine, the female protagonist in this story, shows her courage and persistence; and with a positive belief in herself, she assists in getting the train to its destination and accomplishing the job and task at hand. With its rhythmic, I think I can, I think I can, the words sound like a train "chug," "chug," "chug," "chug" chugging down the track. It's one story in which you can definitely do a dramatic and expressive reading and children love the theatrics. In so doing, a child is able to imagine a train climbing and moving up and over the mountain.

As a favorite bedtime story, The Little Engine That Could, has drama, contains life's lessons, and closes with a positive uplifting ending. Reflecting on this past year with the many challenges people faced with the Covid-19 pandemic, I sincerely wish that parents and grandparents read or will read this story to their children or grandchildren whichever the case may be. Personally, I can't think of a better bedtime story. Because it's a classic, the story never gets old

At the end of the day, you never outgrow this story. Sometimes we have to change the way we think or how we perceive things. While it's natural to have negative thoughts, please don't let negative thoughts control your life. Believing in yourself and your abilities, you can accomplish wonderful things in your life, in your school, in your work, and in your community. You too can be like the little blue engine that could by being courageous, by being persistent, by being helpful, by being kind, by being authentic, by being yourself. Most importantly, you must believe in yourself and never give up! I have read this story many times and long ago to my children and to my grandchildren, I'm sure they would tell you, "To believe in yourself and never give up! It's our favorite American folktale."