Tonight I introduced my two young sons (8 & 6) to the 1960 Walt Disney classic 'Swiss Family Robinson', based on the 1812 novel by Johan David Wyss.
The film to me portrays human the existence in its true form - free!
Spiritual freedom. Economic freedom. Freedom from government control. Freedom from consumerism.
As Father Robinson says to Mother:
"Don't you sometimes feel that this is the kind of life we were meant to live on this earth? Everything we need, everything, right here, right at our fingertips. You know, if only people could have all this and be satisfied, I don't think there'd be any real problems in the world."
But this freedom comes at a cost - this cost is survival!
Food, water, shelter, medical, protection! Without these we perish... and on the island there were no food stamps, medicare or welfare benefits.
It is this survival 'instinct' that we are born with - to feed and protect our beloved family that motivates us to hunt, gather, build, fortify, farm, fish, explore and fight! Bringing out the very best in us all - creativity, innovation, education, courage and determination.
I want my boys to understand that this 'instinct' is within them. Whilst they will not understand the words I have used above, they most certainly understood the labour and ingenuity that went into the building of their tree-home. (You should have heard their gasps of amazement).
And their amazement to watch the family build a raft to get the family off stranded ship - then to go back and rescue the animals.
There are many wonderful scenes drawing upon many human emotions and virtues, however I will leave it at this; and, leave it up to you to watch the film or read the book if you wish to.
I know my sons well, so I know that they will now watch the film 3 times a week for the next 3 months and their imaginations will run wild with what they might build in our backyard - and good on them.
As for me, well as far as introducing myself, you now know that I am from Sydney, Australia. I have a dog and two young sons. And, you are now developing an understanding of the 'freedom' I seek for my sons. A 'freedom' that Western nations are too quickly giving up.
I am SirKnight - and from me and the entire Robinson family I bid thee... 'goodnight.'
