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Horton Hears a Who The Book
This book which is actually a poem is yet another story about Horton the elephant. Dr. Seuss has built up this lovable large elephant into an almost angelic hulk. From the previous story in which Horton was featured where we see him with his large crinkly ears, this one has his ears flapping a bit more. In fact, if you were to look closely at them, they are almost like angels' wings!
The story very briefly, is about how Horton the elephant hears a cry for help and realizes that it is coming from a speck of dust flying by. So he decides to help. The only problem is that some of the other creatures in the jungle, cynical as they are, think that he is stark raving crazy to imagine that a microscopic world could exist on that little speck. So the eagle is given the task of getting rid of the clover on which Horton has tenderly placed the speck.
The animals reckon without Horton, who perseveres after the eagle to find the clover. At much risk and damage to himself, he finally locates it and the world on that speck of dust. The story has a happy ending because though the other animals cruelly suggest that the clover should be dunked in Beezle-Nut juice, the little people called the Whos all yell out together at Horton's insistence and finally the animals can hear them. So, all's well that ends well.
What is really incredible about the book is how well it gets the central message across without being preachy about it. 'A person's a person, no matter how small' is what this story is all about. The usual adorable Seuss illustrations raise this story to the level of a classic. Though it is a children's story, the truths and values it aims to bring out is very universal and applicable to people of all ages.
Throughout the book, the theme is about being a friend, helping against all odds and being victorious in the end. Was there ever a friend like Horton? It did not matter to him that he could not see his little friends - just the thought that they were in trouble and needed his help was enough to get him up and going.
The story is not just from Horton's point of view. It's about life on the other side as well. The Whos too realize that they need help, ask for it and then sit down to do the best they can as well. If their world gets battered and blown around through no fault of their own, they do their best to pick up the pieces and fix things the best way they can. When they need unity and they know their lives depend on yelling as loud as they could, they come through, urged on by their optimistic mayor.
What a book! Well, actually what a poem because that's all it really is - an illustrated poem that grips you from start to finish with its simple, sweet, stirring story that is, in essence, so relevant to all of us. With great mastery over rhyme and raconting, Seuss takes us on a wonderful journey that ends the way all good stories should - happily ever after.