Who knew a conversation over a cup of coffee could percolate new ideas for a podcast? Stranger still, that the podcast would focus on fairy tales and short stories as sources for lessons in human nature, values, and virtues…

In this episode, we explore the importance of virtues in our lives and how cultivating them can lead to greater happiness and fulfillment. The discussion delves into the differences between virtues and values, and why the significance of virtues has diminished over time. We take a look back at the short stories and fairy tales we’ve discussed through the lens of virtuous (and not so virtuous) behavior. By revisiting short stories like The Gift of the Magi, Goldilocks, The Ugly Duckling, and others, we can recognize and discuss virtues such as compassion, courage, perseverance, and resilience, and their impact on personal growth and well-being.

Discussion Points:

• A chat with a friend at the Toasted and Roasted coffee shop
• Virtues vs. values
• Ruminations on “virtues”….
• Looking back at short stories in previous episodes for important virtues
• Check out earlier episodes of Thinking Curious to hear in-depth discussions of the short stories and fairy tales I mentioned in this episode
• Subscribe or Follow the podcast, and use the links below to access the Thinking Curious Project and The Thinking Curious Review for additional content

Resources: 

Thinking Curious Project

Thinking Curious Review 

Cognitive Development Coaching with Jessica   

Toasted & Roasted

Quote from Virtues and Psychology

Book: Virtue and Psychology: Pursuing Excellence in Ordinary Practices

Description of Virtues and Psychology

Virtues For Life  

The Book of Virtues 30th Anniversary Edition 

Resilience from a Virtue Perspective 

Perseverance 

"... my fairy-tales were just as much for adults as for children, who only understood the ornamental trappings, but only as mature adults can they see and perceive the contents. That the naive was only one part of my fairy-tales, that humour was the actual zest in them" - Hans Christian Andersen’s journal entry from June 4, 1875

The Ugly Duckling is not a simple fairytale. It appeals to children through animal characters, an exciting plot, and beautiful language, yet it also appeals to adults who can perceive the illuminating concepts and abstractions. In this episode, I dig deep into three distinct story elements that weave together to illustrate the complete transformation of our hero: Resilience, Self-Concept, and the Hero’s Journey - ending in peace and happiness for the Ugly Duckling. 

Discussion Points:

• Hans Christian Andersen and his work
• Three story strands that weave together - Resilience, Self-Concept, and a Hero’s Journey
• Resilience - how is it illustrated?
• Self-concept in the duck yard - rejection and abuse
• The 3 stages of the ‘Hero’s Journey’
• Andersen’s quote about the fairy tale
• Rising above discouraging words and becoming himself
• Encouraged by joy and hope
• Rescued from the ice by a kind farmer
• The ‘hero’s return’ and metamorphosis
• A quote from the author 
• Subscribe or Follow the podcast, and use the links below to access the Thinking Curious Project and The Thinking Curious Review for additional content

Resources: 

Thinking Curious Project

Thinking Curious Review 

Cognitive Development Coaching with Jessica   

Hans Christian Andersen's Biography   

Read The Ugly Duckling   

The Resilient Brain  

R

The Little Red Hen is a fable with a moral that is helpful. However, the character of the Little Red Hen has been maligned and her story demoralized. In this episode, we are going to take a look at the author and her life, along with the moral and theme of this little fable, to see if we can set the record straight.

The Little Red Hen is an American fable first published by Mary Mapes Dodge in St. Nicholas Magazine in 1874. St. Nicholas was a popular monthly American children's magazine, founded by Scribner's in 1873. Dodge was the first editor of the magazine, and she continued her association with the magazine until her death in 1905.

The characters and structure of the story are meant to teach children that hard work and personal initiative are the foundation of success. The tale is based on a story Dodge was often told by her mother. Originally the other animals besides the hen consist of a rat, a cow, a cat, a dog, a duck, and a pig. Later adaptations, like the illustrated version by Florence White Henderson, often reduce the number of other animals to three- the cat, the rat, and the pig.

Discussion Points:

• The Little Red Hen
• Author Mary Elizabeth Mapes Dodge - her era and her life
• Fables, morals, themes, and animal characters
• Florence White Williams version of the story
• An excerpt from The Little Red Hen
• John Locke, personal property, and civil law 
• The hen had a natural right to the bread she baked
• Similarities between the author’s life and the hen’s characteristics
• Subscribe or follow the podcast and use the link below to The Thinking Curious Review

Resources: 

Thinking Curious Project

Thinking Curious Review 

Cognitive Development Coaching with Jessica at Purposed Pathways 

The Little Red Hen Origin and Background

A Negative View of the Fable

Mary Mapes Dodge Profile

Mary Mapes Dodge Bio

St. Nicholas Children’s Magazine