Sabbath Devotional: What I Learned from an Imaginary Elephant

In this hottest of summers I invite you to cool

In the Jungle of Nool, on the banks of a pool.

Where Horton the Elephant jumps off the page

And comes truly alive as he takes to the stage.

In the last decade, my son has appeared in three productions of Seussical the Musical. I grew up on Theodor Geisel's Dr. Seuss books, but my exposure to the musical was late in coming. I was leery at first, having been disappointed by other adaptations of beloved characters. But after seeing the show probably twelve times now, I've developed an affection for it — especially for a particular elephant.

I'd happily invite you all to watch it with me. However, I'm only able to share an outline of the story and some of the themes that hit home.

Seussical is a delightful mashup of many of Dr. Seuss's most beloved books. Name one of your favorite Seuss characters, and there's a good chance they appear. But Horton the Elephant is the hero of this particular retelling. At the risk of spoiling the show for you: Horton hatches an egg, and hears a Who, too.

We meet Horton enjoying a swim when his extraordinary ears catch a cry for help on the breeze. His natural inclination toward kindness leads him to search for the source of distress — a small speck of dust that happens to be a world full of tiny Who folk. The story tracks Horton and this speck on a clover as he tries to protect them, arguing his sanity (and the Whos' humanity) over and over.

The jungle is full of diverse characters — acquaintances and antagonists, and an overlooked friend. Most don't believe Horton when he says there's a tiny civilization on the speck in his care, and harassment ensues. Meanwhile, a vain bird, the pleasure-bent Mayzie, leaves Horton to nest-sit her egg in a tree.

After a series of misadventures and near-calamity, Horton, his friend Gertrude, and all the Whos, working together, are able to convince the neighbors that the tiny civilization is real. The result is new and stronger community — and a shared commitment to protect the Whos.

A Person's a Person, No Matter How [Large or] Small

This is one of the major themes of the story. No matter what horrors Horton faces, he stands with honor and dedication to the lives he is protecting when others have no appreciation for, or experience with, them. Horton's confidence in his own abilities doesn't waver, even when he's disbelieved and mocked. His integrity is based on his unshakable beliefs, backed by reason and good will.

If I had to choose a fictional character who embodied integrity and a divine sense of worth for every soul, Horton would certainly be among the top contenders. He meant what he said and he said what he meant. An elephant’s faithful 100%.

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.  And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

(Matthew 10:29-31)

If You Open Your Mind, All the Things You Will Find

Curiosity and imagination serve Horton well throughout the story, leading him to find the Whos, try to understand the needs of others, and nurture hope for a future that exists only in his mind, even when he feels discouraged. Horton dreams of Solla Sollew, a heaven-like place where troubles are few. 

Whether you call it heaven, paradise, Eden, the Beloved Community, or Zion, there is value in imagining and working toward a better place for all of us. If we can’t imagine it, how will we build it? Someday, we'll go to. . . Solla Sollew.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)

We're Never Alone in the Universe

In some of his darkest moments, when Horton is feeling down and lonely, he repeatedly opens himself up to the possibility of love and friendship. When we're feeling alone, we can almost always find community by looking for others who are searching too.

It also happens that in his efforts to protect Whoville and an abandoned egg, Horton beautifully embodies a saving figure — and exemplifies what it can look like as we strive to take on the name of Christ and join him in his work of salvation.

I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

(Isaiah 41:10)

He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge. . .

(Psalm 91:4)

Oh, The Places You'll Go

My appreciation for the story didn't come immediately, but it grew — and then blossomed — when I got an intimate look into a high school production. When my son was cast in school plays, including his most recent turn in Seussical as Horton, I took on the role of drama mom with gusto, helping with costumes and sets and getting a literal behind-the-scenes look at the shows.

When a full cast of young people worked together to create a world and tell this story, there was a sense of authenticity to it — a story of empowerment and encouraged imagination for children. I loved watching the kids take their whimsical parts very seriously, using their own imaginations to bring the characters and story to life.

It's a musical made for children, but it isn't condescending. It lets viewers of all ages experience, through imagination, the hard and scary alongside the beautiful and hopeful — while offering companionship, support, and humor along the way. The climax comes when Horton encourages JoJo, smallest of the Whos and thinker extraordinaire, to use his imagination and his voice to help save his community.

One day, as I was painting backstage, I got to witness a beautiful thing. The drama director had all the kids in the cast lie down where they were and close their eyes. She told them her own story: of being a high schooler who felt a little lost, who found her way into a production of Seussical, and how the world opened up to her, and she suddenly felt at home. She found her people, her love for theater, and her own sense of belonging. She then asked them to imagine what such a place would look like for themselves. And just like that, she gifted a new generation with the dream of Solla Sollew.

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)

In sum, I’ll leave you with the words of another great American poet:

That even as we grieved, we grew.

That even as we hurt, we hoped;

that even as we tired, we tried;

When day comes, we step out of the shade

aflame and unafraid.

The new dawn blooms as we free it.

For there is always light,

if only we’re brave enough to see it.

If only we’re brave enough to be it.

(Amanda Gorman: The Hill We Climb)

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Molly Cannon Hadfield is a Facebook engagement specialist at Mormon Women for Ethical Government.