Today's Television

There is a large cloud looming over my house right now, and I desparately want rain to fall from it. I think we all wish that! As I am looking up to the sky, I am reminded of a story from my childhood, Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain. It is an African tale about Kilpat who shoots an arrow that brings rain to his dry patch of land. It was one of my favorites growing up. I especially loved listening to it read by James Earl Jones on the show "Reading Rainbow." So, I just thought, "Why don't I look it up! The internet is bound to have it somewhere." And, sure enough, there it is on YouTube, along with many episodes.

I just watched two episodes, and it got me thinking about today's television.

I heard on the news the other day that a study has been completed to prove that a popular children's cartoon is actually making children dumber. I don't know about the reliability or validity of this study but it made me sad. It is disheartening to think that what children are watching is damaging their intelligence.

Maybe I'm getting old, but to me nothing beats a good book, or a program that promotes good books and reading. So I'm here on my soapbox to promote those shows that intentionally have an aim to enrich. It doesn't get better than reading.

Thanks Kilpat! It's raining. I think I'll curl up with a good book.