The Story And Lesson Of Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer
Remember the stories of Christmas? Our image of Christmas
and what it should be was largely shaped by fables. But,
it wasn't just entertainment. Many of the stories include
important lessons. One of the most enduring fables is
that of Rudolph, the red nosed reindeer. It is a fun
story that also provides lessons of self-acceptance and
looking at the bright side of a perceived flaw.
and what it should be was largely shaped by fables. But,
it wasn't just entertainment. Many of the stories include
important lessons. One of the most enduring fables is
that of Rudolph, the red nosed reindeer. It is a fun
story that also provides lessons of self-acceptance and
looking at the bright side of a perceived flaw.
The story of Rudolph, whose glowing red nose made him a
legend, first appeared in 1939. Montgomery Ward's
department store distributed approximately 2 million
booklets with the poem, "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer".
It was written by Robert L. May, who worked in the
store's advertisement department. Of course, like any ad,
its intent was to bring more people into the store.
legend, first appeared in 1939. Montgomery Ward's
department store distributed approximately 2 million
booklets with the poem, "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer".
It was written by Robert L. May, who worked in the
store's advertisement department. Of course, like any ad,
its intent was to bring more people into the store.
When the booklet was reissued shortly after, sales soared
to more than 3.5 million copies. But it wasn't until a
decade later, in 1949, that the story gained huge
popularity when Gene Autry sang a musical version of the
fable. It is deemed the second most popular Christmas
song. It is second only to "White Christmas".
to more than 3.5 million copies. But it wasn't until a
decade later, in 1949, that the story gained huge
popularity when Gene Autry sang a musical version of the
fable. It is deemed the second most popular Christmas
song. It is second only to "White Christmas".
Rudolph, whose lighted nose guides Santa's sleigh through
the night, is known worldwide. The story has been
translated into more than 20 languages. An animated
television movie based on the story was created in the
1960s. It is being shown to this day. Rudolph and his
unique nose has sparked a lot of interest in reindeers.
the night, is known worldwide. The story has been
translated into more than 20 languages. An animated
television movie based on the story was created in the
1960s. It is being shown to this day. Rudolph and his
unique nose has sparked a lot of interest in reindeers.
Along with the catchy lyrics, Rudolph's story is also
appealing because of the moral lessons it contains. As the
story goes, Rudolph was ostracized by the other reindeers.
They laughed and teased him about his shiny red nose. One
foggy Christmas eve, Santa was concerned that he might not
be able to deliver his Christmas gifts. The fog was very
thick and menacing.
appealing because of the moral lessons it contains. As the
story goes, Rudolph was ostracized by the other reindeers.
They laughed and teased him about his shiny red nose. One
foggy Christmas eve, Santa was concerned that he might not
be able to deliver his Christmas gifts. The fog was very
thick and menacing.
Not sure what to do, Santa spotted Rudolph and got an
idea. Santa asked Rudolph if he would step to the front of
the reindeers to "guide my sleigh tonight". Santa reasoned
that Rudolph's shiny red nose would be very helpful in
lighting the way. From then on "all of the other reindeers
loved him". As the fable and song predicted, Rudolph did
indeed "go down in history".
idea. Santa asked Rudolph if he would step to the front of
the reindeers to "guide my sleigh tonight". Santa reasoned
that Rudolph's shiny red nose would be very helpful in
lighting the way. From then on "all of the other reindeers
loved him". As the fable and song predicted, Rudolph did
indeed "go down in history".
One moral lesson is that an attribute that is perceived as
negative might actually be an asset. It also makes the
point that an individual should not let the negative
reaction of others define him or her. Others do not know
your potential, nor the odds of reaching it. Many would
rather demean than believe you are capable. Many are just
jealous of the flaw or its potential benefit but try to
convince themselves that they are not by speaking ill of
the "defect".
negative might actually be an asset. It also makes the
point that an individual should not let the negative
reaction of others define him or her. Others do not know
your potential, nor the odds of reaching it. Many would
rather demean than believe you are capable. Many are just
jealous of the flaw or its potential benefit but try to
convince themselves that they are not by speaking ill of
the "defect".
It also illustrates how quickly opinions and attitudes
can change based on results that contradict preconceptions.
In reality, many never seem to learn the folly of
rushing to judgments. Maybe they need to read the story of
Rudolph more than once a year!
can change based on results that contradict preconceptions.
In reality, many never seem to learn the folly of
rushing to judgments. Maybe they need to read the story of
Rudolph more than once a year!
The question still lingers, however, of where Rudolph came
from. He is commonly regarded as the son of Donner
(or Donder), one of the original eight reindeers. But
Snopes.com rejects this. They claim that Rudolph lived in
a reindeer village elsewhere. In their account, Santa,
who had just started on his Christmas Eve journey, saw
Rudolph. At that moment he asked Rudolph to become part
of the team (to help guide Santa's sleigh).
from. He is commonly regarded as the son of Donner
(or Donder), one of the original eight reindeers. But
Snopes.com rejects this. They claim that Rudolph lived in
a reindeer village elsewhere. In their account, Santa,
who had just started on his Christmas Eve journey, saw
Rudolph. At that moment he asked Rudolph to become part
of the team (to help guide Santa's sleigh).
Wikipedia.com mentions an update on the Rudolph story. The
update is an animation put out by the British Broadcasting
Corporation (BBC). In the animation Rudolph has a son,
named Robbie. That son becomes the tenth reindeer. Few
people have heard of this update.
update is an animation put out by the British Broadcasting
Corporation (BBC). In the animation Rudolph has a son,
named Robbie. That son becomes the tenth reindeer. Few
people have heard of this update.
By the way, the idea of Santa's sleigh being pulled by
reindeers originated in the poem, "Twas The Night Before
Christmas". The poem tells the story of St. Nicholas
(Santa) riding in his sleigh and calling his eight tiny
reindeers by their names.
reindeers originated in the poem, "Twas The Night Before
Christmas". The poem tells the story of St. Nicholas
(Santa) riding in his sleigh and calling his eight tiny
reindeers by their names.
In the fable, Santa and his sleigh land on a house. Santa
goes down the chimney, fills the stockings and
then places presents under the Christmas tree. When Santa
has completed the task he goes up the chimney, gets back
on his sleigh and drives off into the night exclaiming,
"Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night". We are
not sure if that house is the last house in the
neighborhood or the last house of the night. The fable
does not mention that poor ole Santa probably had to
repeat this process a few million more times before
calling it a night once and for all.
goes down the chimney, fills the stockings and
then places presents under the Christmas tree. When Santa
has completed the task he goes up the chimney, gets back
on his sleigh and drives off into the night exclaiming,
"Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night". We are
not sure if that house is the last house in the
neighborhood or the last house of the night. The fable
does not mention that poor ole Santa probably had to
repeat this process a few million more times before
calling it a night once and for all.
No comments:
Post a Comment