Radiococo Broadcast #06

the stories we tell ourselves

Last week I arrived at one of my preschool classes early, and they were reading Todd Parr’s It’s Okay To Be Different during circle time. The book says things like it’s okay to need some help, it’s okay to be a different colour, it’s okay to have no hair, you get the gist. The statements were like positive affirmations for the kids, and there was a soothing quality to hearing them read it aloud together. It is okay to be!

Later during class, this happened:

I saw the moment his face lit up when he connected what he had just learnt to what his friends were saying.

Earlier this month, I came across the photo above. I had forgotten about this photo, as well as the picturebook in it. It was a picturebook I illustrated for my little cousin, then six years old, in hopes of encouraging him to be more open to trying different types of foods. For the longest time, he struggled with food. He stuck to what he knew and already liked: chawanmushi and rice. Mealtimes were a constant battle, which made him even more resistant to trying new things. He made tiny attempts occasionally when he was with me, which sometimes felt like he was doing it for my sake.

His family did not have a habit of reading either, and that pained me as much as seeing him struggle with eating. So I did what any respectable artist had to do and drew him a picturebook about a boy (my cousin himself) who would only eat a specific type of food. The storyline was straightforward, with no big words that he couldn't read as an early reader. I printed two copies at the local printer, one to gift him and another for myself. The photo above was the playdate where I gave the book to him in a cafe, in between trying a cupcake he couldn't finish. He read it aloud while I tried not to show any visible signs of trepidation or expectations. I did not expect him to change his preferences overnight. In fact [spoiler alert], the protagonist loves trying new foods at the end of the story, but what he loves the most is still chawanmushi. A reminder that there is no shame in loving and wanting the same foods every day, but trying something new could be fun. We went for dinner at the end of the playdate, and he still asked for chawanmushi (refer to pic below).

But from time to time after that, when he mustered enough courage to try something new, he would reference the story, and it would surprise and delight me in equal measure. Happy to report now that he loves food so much at nine years old and was recently caught on video enjoying his lunch so thoroughly that he was closing his eyes and doing a little dance. 

We are all aware of the power of storytelling, but it is really lovely to be reminded of it in such a tangible way.

Thank you for tuning in this month! What's a story that moved you recently?

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This month's play-list:

1. In line with this month's theme, this podcast about women and the art of brilliant speaking

2. Nature track podcast for when you can’t escape the city

3. Don't die curious! A song!