Adventure

Society tells us a lot of things, and how to raise children is just one of countless, isn't it? Who is the face of society? Tut-tut'ing mothers at a book club, grazers around the water cooler, the ever smiling, plastic face of the media? We have books, friends, professors, television, complete strangers who are quite ready to tell anyone, anyone at all, how their children should be raised, and what sort of restrictions they should receive. 

And sometimes, I bow my head and conceded, because, yes. I do see where they're coming from. And sometimes, yes, their point is completely valid. There should never be a reason for abuse. Never should there be a reason for massive, irresponsible negligence and endangerment of a child who is 'too young to know better'. 

But I can't help but wonder... are we crippling them? I am still a child, and I am just now unsteadily getting to my feet. But I feel that children today have no idea what freedom is, what adventure and quests are all about. They will never rescue a princess, explore an uncharted land, defeat pirates on the open sea, nor slay dragons.

And so they grow up, oblivious to the concept that it is even possible.

And it is very, very possible. It takes some buckling down, some spit, some elbow grease, some blood, guts, and tears (most of which will be yours) but you can slay a dragon, rescue the princess, win the pirates over and conquer a foreign land all in one lifetime. It is so very possible. 

So when people scold parents for letting their children touch the 'unreality', to take on the beast, to run headlong into the impossible armed only with their dreams and hope

I'm just so heartbroken. 

Things may not always pan out for the best. There will be casualties. Some knights will fall before the serpents. But it's worth it. It's a hundred times worth it.