Ep 9: Denslow's Humpty Dumpty

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by W.W. Denslow | 1903

Meet Humpty Dumpty, a wobbly little optimist with one big fear: falling. Tired of living in constant worry, he sets out for advice and ends up with the Farmer's Wife, who gives him a whole new perspective. 

One quick boil later, Humpty is no longer fragile. He’s tough, fearless, and ready to take on the world. Instead of breaking, he travels, teaches, and leaves a trail of joy behind him. Turns out, cracking isn't the end. It's just the start of something better.

Notable Quotes:

• "Only one thing troubled Humpty, and that was, that he might fall and crack his thin, white skin; he wished to be hard, all the way through..."
• "'Humpty-Dumpty sat on a wall, Humpty-Dumpty had a great fall; All the king's horses, and all the king's men Cannot put Humpty-Dumpty together again.'"
• "What you must do... is to go to the Farmer's Wife, next door, and tell her to put you into a pot of boiling hot water..."
• "He did not have to stay in the water long, before he was quite well done, and as hard as a brick all the way through..."

Summary:

• Humpty-Dumpty, a cheerful but fragile egg, fears falling and cracking.
• He seeks advice from the wise Black Hen, who tells him the cautionary tale of his reckless father.
• The Hen advises Humpty to ask the Farmer's Wife to boil him, which will make him hard and unbreakable.
• The Farmer's Wife boils Humpty, wrapping him in a festive calico rag that gives him red spots.
• Transformed into a hard-boiled, nimble egg, Humpty is now fearless and full of pranks.
• He embarks on global travels, bringing joy to others as a clown or minstrel.
• Throughout his life, Humpty remains grateful to the Black Hen and Farmer's Wife for helping him become resilient and ready to cheer the world.

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