The Other Side of Seuss LbNA #30280

Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, was remembered by many as the man that wrote children’s books. What many did not realize was that most of what he wrote was intended to make a statement. It annoyed him that many journalists would describe his books as “whimsical.” He once said, “’Whimsical’ means that the books say nothing. Look it up in the dictionary. It means capricious, without reason.” There was not a book that Dr. Seuss wrote that did not have something to say.

This series has been placed on the Green Blazed Trail in the Cockaponsett State Forest. The trail head can be reached by taking exit 9 off Route 9. Head south on Route 81. Parking and trail head will be on your left shortly after the intersection of 81 and Little City Road.

The Lorax (1971)

The story of the Lorax seems to be the most appropriate story to start with considering the love most letterboxers have for nature and the forests. Throughout the story, the Lorax stands up to try and stop deforestation by industry, but as a lone voice, it goes on unheeded. Interestingly, the story is told, after the fact, by the character responsible for the destruction who realized the error of his ways after it was too late and the damage was done.

[Start out on the path through the two boulders. Cross the bridge and up the hill. At the “Y” in the trail go right on the green blazed trail. Go until the path crosses the stone wall. What you seek is waiting for you, nestled in the wall below the CT State Forest sign.]

There are still many beautiful places in this world, but as Dr. Seuss ends the story, there won’t be….

“Unless someone like you
cares a whole awful lot,
nothing is going to get better,
It’s not.”

Yertle the Turtle (1958)

The story of Yertle the Turtle, while published in 1958, came from earlier editorial cartoons Seuss did in the New York newspaper PM between 1941-1942. Few readers realize that Yertle is Adolf Hitler. In a 1987 interview Seuss said, “Yertle was Hitler or Mussolini. Originally, Yertle had a mustache, but I took it off. I thought it was gilding the lily a bit.”

Yertle is the king of the pond. One day he decides the kingdom he rules is too small. He is the ruler of all that he can see, but he feels he can not see enough. He determines it is because the throne he sits on is too small. He commands that nine other turtles stack up for him to stand atop. Of course this is not enough and he continues to demand, in a dictatorial fashion, that they stack higher and higher. Meanwhile the turtle on the bottom expresses the pain of carrying the load to which Yertle yells that he had no business talking to the highest ruler of the land. Just when Yertle decides he wants the turtles to stack him to heaven the turtle on the bottom letsbout a small little burp which shakes the throne of the king and sends him flying back into the pond.

[Continue on the trail from the stone wall. Climb up the hill and then back down. Look for an entwined three sister tree with one dead on your left. There is also a tree in middle of the path at this point. Turn 90 degrees to your right, take ten paces off the trail and look behind the layered rock formation for what you seek.]

“And today the great Yertle, that Marvelous he,
is King of the Mud. That is all he can see.
And the turtles, of course…..all the turtles are free
As turtles and, maybe, all creatures should be.”

Horton Hears a Who (1954)

Horton the elephant is a character that crosses over a few different Seuss stories. In his first story, Horton Hatches the Egg, he teaches the importance of the given word as he states, “I meant what I said and I said what I meant….An elephant’s faithful one hundred percent!”. In Horton Hears a Who, the little voices he hears is actually from the habitants of Who-ville which become the center of the story How the Grinch Stole Christmas. In Horton Hears a Who, Horton discovers a speck of what looks like dust, but with his big ears he can hear the voice of the Mayor of Who-ville. Even though he cannot see Who-ville, the Mayor describes the houses, churches, family and children. Horton takes it upon himself to keep Who-ville safe. Horton has to battle a nemesis kangaroo that does not believe something so small and unseen can exist nor is it worthy of being protected. In the end the people of Who-ville raise up their voices in unison convincing the kangaroo that they do exist and need to be protected. The message is that no matter how small, each voice deserves to be heard and that even if it does not directly pertain to you, standing up for those that cannot speak for themselves is a worthy effort. While there were many political reasons in 1954, during the Civil Rights Movement, to encourage that every voice should be equal, it is a message that continues to have value today.

[After replacing Yertle, continue on the trail. Go around the bend and start to climb again. At the top you can stop and take a rest, but eventually must continue down. As you descend, look back at the beautiful rock formation of boulders. In one of the crevices you will find your prize.]


“Their voices were heard! They rang out clear and clean.
And the elephant smiled. ‘Do you see what I mean…?
They’ve proved they ARE persons, no matter how small.
And their whole world was saved by the Smallest of All!’”

The Sneetches (1961)

For most, children and adults alike, it seems silly that anyone would think they are better just because they have a star on their belly. So brilliantly had Dr. Seuss written this story that it helped shape the views for many on intolerance and racism. How could anyone dislike someone for the mark on their belly, color of their skin or the shape of their eyes? Would that make them as foolish and stupid as a Sneetch to think that way?

The story, set on a beach, is about Sneetches. There were Star-Belly Sneetches and Plain-Belly Sneetches. The Star-Belly Sneetches would not have anything to do with the Plain-Belly ones because they felt they were better. The Plain-Belly Sneetches openly coveted the star. When a con-artist by the name of Sylvester McMonkey McBean shows up and offers to put a star on the Plain-Belly Sneetches they open up their wallets fast. Once everyone receives stars the original Star-Belly Sneetches, craving to be different and elite again, have McBean remove their stars. This continues back and forth until no one can remember who had star bellies originally and who did not, they were all out of money and McBean moves on to make his money elsewhere.

[Continue on the trail. You will go through a beautiful grove (secret garden). The trail will then continue and run parallel to a ledge. The trail will cross over the smallest part of the ledge. Continue until you stand at the top of the trail where it starts down a rocky slope. To your left in the rock formation is the last box.]

“….Sneetches got really quite smart on that day,
The day they decided that Sneetches are Sneetches
And no kind of Sneetch is the best on the beaches,
That day, all the Sneetches forgot about stars
And whether they had one, or not, upon thars.”

At this point you are 1/3 of the way around a 3 mile loop. You can return the way you came (the choice of our five year old)or, if you are adventurous, you can continue on the green trail which will eventually loop around (there are many nice streams and mini falls along the way). Just make sure you check the trail map (www.ct.us/dep) for the Northern Cockaponsett state forest trail system before you go. If you miss the left turn back around the loop, you could end up on Beaver Meadow Road—very far from your car…as we did the first time out…

I hope you enjoyed my indulgence and effort to try to make this series of boxes fun and interesting for both children and adults alike!