Opus

I am currently in mourning (again) for the loss of my favorite comic strip character: Opus the Penguin. Whether from "Bloom County," "Outland," or just plain "Opus," he always spoke to me. His creator, Berkely Breathed, has terminated the strip due to the rising level of venom in our nation's political discourse. Apparently, he felt it was no longer possible to have Opus contribute without his anger going over the top.

I love Opus because he could say things regular people couldn't. His innocent indignation at wrongs both great and small was not just humorous, it was priceless. He also lived precariously in that boundary zone between fantasy and reality where I think we should all spend a little time, for our own sanity. And he did it so well.

I have a stuffed Opus in my classroom at school. He is our class mascot. He doesn't engage in political commentary or borderline-adult-world-fantasy-stuff like he does in the comic strips. But he's a class favorite. Just like in the papers, my Opus can say things that regular people wouldn't. And the kids love him for it. Even right up through 6th grade, being Opus' guardian for the day is a treasured job. he even came on our class trips to Philadephia and D.C.!

And I am reminded that even in our complicated postmodern world that can be so difficult for children to navigate - they're still kids. Even 12-year-old boys need a little stuffed-animal comfort now and then. And Opus is so trusting.