In this book various farm yard animals (a cow, horse, sheep, pig and mouse) all decide to go for a boat ride, and as each animal get in the boat, it gets lower and lower until the mouse hops-in which causes the boat to sink.
As a child I was led to believe the mouse is at fault, for if the mouse hadn't got into the boat, the boat would of stayed upright and kept his animal friends dry.
But looking back as an adult I can now see the underlying theme of teamwork, the idea that we all succeed or fail as a collective group.
As I was reminded of this book, it caused me to ponder how I have a different approach to ideas now, than when I was a child. Now I am older, my ideas are so different. I think of life differently. This can be said not only about books I read as a child, also in films I saw.
In my view, Disney Pixar engages in significant philosophical creative work in his films. His films are productions that all ages can enjoy on different levels.
The mix in humour, for example, can be understood by kids and the adults that are obliged to sit and endure yet another CGI film.
One such movie was Cars, in which the hot shot racer leaves his team trying to be a 'one man band' but doesn't get far as he learns that race cars need a pit team to be successful,
Experiences that challenge faith
The bible is always doing this to us, we humans naturally want to do things our own way, and be the children's book "animals safe in the boat" until God chucks a mouse into our boat that upends the current situation.
It is God's timely reminder that he is our teammate and will be there for us. The Bible provides many such examples. Look at Noah for example, who was instructed to build the Ark to take two of every kind of animal and he trusted. The surrounding people roared with laughter and mocking as the Ark was constructed. One might imagine the sight when it was eventually finished, his wife, their three sons' and their wives entered the Ark in faith.
We might also think of the Apostle Paul in chains on board the ship under guard when a great storm came upon them and Paul assured them all, from a vision from the Lord, they would all be saved and under instruction, all the prisoners were unshackled and all were saved.
In the life experiences of every follower of Jesus, there are innumerable faith walk encounters whereby God throws that proverbial mouse into our boat.
It seems all is lost, our existence seems turned upside down and we can thrash around and head one way, or we can put our trust in the Lord and wait upon His touch upon our lives in faith – here's the key - with the support and help of fellow pilgrims in Jesus.
Christopher Archibald lives in Sydney and is an under-graduate student.
Christopher Archibald's previous articles may be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/christopher-archibald.html