As
a parent and grandparent, I sometimes play favorites, like "The Little
Engine That Could" story copied to a cassette tape many years ago as a
backup of my favorite kids’ record. Narrated by Paul Wing in the early 1950s (I
believe, per loc.gov and the National Recording Preservation Board), it teaches
children a valuable lesson. I found and played
the bedtime story for a very special granddaughter visiting us last week – put
her and Grandma to sleep … so sweet! Hearing
the recording brought back memories of listening to it as a young boy, probably
a hundred times on my little record player. The theme tune still runs through
my mind, accompanied by “I think I can … I think I can!”
When
I play favorites, it is not partisanship or prejudice, “giving unfair
preferential treatment to one person or group at the expense of another.”
– Google defined favoritism. It’s fair because they are deserving, and there is no expense involved.
– Google defined favoritism. It’s fair because they are deserving, and there is no expense involved.
In
the coming days, I shall think of more favorites I love to play, like “Prelude
to the Afternoon of a Faun” by Claude Debussy (French composer, 1862 - 1918.)
"Debussy's
symphonic poem, first performed in 1894 … tells the tale of the mythical faun,
playing his pipes alone in the woods. ... From the dreamy opening flute tune,
the sleepy calm of an afternoon in the forest ..." – classicfm.com
That piece definitely
deserves preferential treatment!
Courtesy Google.com
Playing the favorite forest zip line ... a calm afternoon for parents.
