Purple Crayons

Childrens' books
Knitting:
What is there not to love?

_Harold and The Purple Crayon_
by Crockett Johnson tops my
list.

Harold decides
to take a walk
in the moonlight.

He draws:
the moon
the path
the shortcut
the tree for a small forest
the dragon that scares him...

Has adventures.
Gets lost.
And finds his way home.

What draws me to this book?
Harold thinks about taking the walk
and does something about it.
He wields power with that little crayon.
He scares himself, protects himself,
finds his "own" way home.

Such a deceptively simple plot
line, uncomplicated illustrations
but:

Don't we all child or adult
need to empower ourselves?

And a purple crayon is right there
in the crayon box available, waiting.

I've gifted my grand boys with
the book and the crayon and
to adults as well,,,

usually gifted to an adult
when life seems
especially difficult
and faith in the journey
at a low ebb.

Years ago,
Jame and I went
to a book signing
for a knitting book.

The authors gave
each participant
pointed chopsticks
and a butterfly of yarn.

The gift was meant
to function as a vehicle
to teach others to knit.

To be used
when the stranger
on the bus says,
"I've always wanted to knit,"
or the child in the doctor's
waiting room says,
"Could I try?"

The authors encouraged,
"Share your joy, your skill,
teach a friend, neighbor,
or stranger to knit."

I think I'll tuck
the teaching needles
and skein in my purse,
just in case...
there is a nonknitter
waiting for:
the right moment,
and the needed instructor
to appear.

Purple crayon,
pointed sticks,
a hunk of yarn...
I'm ready.

Time to follow
Harold's example.

Embark on an adventure.