Horton is not a hen. Horton is an elephant.
He is the kindest, gentlest, wisest, most helpful elephant. So helpful in fact, that he agrees to sit on lazy bird Mayzie's egg while she flies off to Palm Beach for her vacation.
What? How can an elephant sit on an egg, you ask? That's exactly what Horton wonders as well, when Mayzie begs Horton to sit on her egg because she needs a vacation,
The elephant laughed.
"Why, of all silly things!
I haven't feathers and I haven't wings.
ME on your egg? Why, that doesn't make sense....
Your egg is so small, ma'am, and I'm so immense!"
But that conniving, lazy Mayzie turns on her charm and manipulates Horton's big heart.
...I know you're not small
But I'm sure you can do it. No trouble at all.
Just sit on it softly. You're gentle and kind.
Come, be a good fellow,
I know you won't mind."
Poor Horton gives in. He promises to sit on her egg and try not to break it. He promises to stay and be faithful.
So Mayzie goes off on her vacation and Horton goes about doing all the things that need to be done to nurture and protect Mayzie's egg. He first props up the tree so it can withstand his weight. He then carefully creeps up the trunk to the nest and gingerly sits on the egg. And sits and sits and sits.
He sits through days, he sits through nights, he sits through terrible storms, through snow and ice. He feels cold, he feels hot, he feels wet. He sits through the jeering taunts of all his friends. He hopes Mayzie doesn't forget.
Well, Mayzie does forget. Worse, she decides that she'll NEVER go back to her nest!
But does Horton give up? No.
He sits on that egg in the face of terrible odds. He sits even when he comes face to face with three hunters aiming their rifles straight at his heart.
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Article comments
1 - Thomas M. Sipos
Over thirty years after reading about them, I've still not forgotten the Star-Bellied Snithes and the Snitches With None.
2 - Howard Dratch
More than 50 years later this particular son still remembers Horton well and reading (and being read to) Dr. Seuss with my mother.
If creating good thoughts and relationships for close to 56 years is a mark of good writing, then Dr. Seuss deserves whatever awards he won plus some.
3 - Sterfish
These books are classics that will be enjoyed for years to come. Also, I'd recommend you look for the great Looney Tune version of "Horton Hatches The Egg."
4 - sujatha
Thomas, Howard and Sterfish, thank you for your comments. They are heartening to say the least. Growing up, I had no clue who Dr. Seuss was and am just thankful that I discovered them when I did, late as it was. Thank you for your suggestions as well. I'll check them out!