The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles

The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles is not a title that inspires confidence in inspiration, but this book is definitely inspiring, if read the right way. It opens in a zoo, where three kids meet a renowned professor, who would like to use them to help him on his quest: to see the last Whangdoodle, supposedly the wisest, and gentlest of all the creatures. The children accompany him through many adventures. Through out this book,  the characters and the lessons they learn (or teach) make this book meaningful. 

Some have "Lindy" as their favorite character. This is because she is small, innocent, yet without her, the quest of the rest would fail. She learns of her own importance, and the importance of bravery, trust, friendship, and endurance. The Whiffle Bird is also a personal favorite. She is always there when the troop needed help, with beautiful feathers and  cryptic advice. She demonstrates great loyalty to the  right thing, as she guides them through dangers, and sacrifices her own safety for them. 

Prock, the Gazooks, Swamp Gaboons and the High-Behind Splinter Cat are all characters from whom we can take symbolism and lessons. The Prock is the 'chancellor' to the Whangdoodle, who has given orders that humans cannot see him. Prock uses kidnapping, fear, and greed to keep the children and professor away. He was acting under orders, but that was no excuse for his methods of carrying out those orders. The Gazooks are creatures that appear to be something other then what they really are (which is something that they're not). In this story, they appear as motorcycles, luring two children (boys) to ride on them. Little do the boys know, but once they get on, they can't get off- for the Gazooks won't stop. They get carried away by the Gazooks, until they desperately jump into a gum tree, made of gum.  They must chew themselves free. The Gazooks remind certain people of addictions, luring you away, and then carrying you away. Eventually you're stuck whether you stay on or get off. But once you get off, though you'll be "stuck in the gum tree" for a while, you can free yourself more easily and safely. Swamp Gaboons are safe and harmless, if you take away their faults. That is what makes up the Swamp Gaboon's personality. They will constantly nag you, and tease you, and call you names. If you ignore them, they'll resort to poking, hair pulling, and other such annoying, and painful actions. Finally, the High-Behind Splintercat. This animal is one the most confusing creatures I've ever read about. He can sweet talk you into doing anything, but he is very sensitive to sweet things. For example, he can't stand to hear Lindy sing. He howls, and covers his ears, and begs her to stop, for it is to sweet a noise.  This cat can be many people, and not necessarily in one category. They can be politicians, bankers, grocers, musicians, etc. But these people should not be trusted. Reading this book, you learn to avoid these people, or you will fall into trouble. 

The last character from this book to discuss is the most disappointing. The Whangdoodle. Mr. W is described as the "wisest, the kindest, and the most extraordinary creature in the world," yet he isn't kind at all to the children or the professor when they try to reach him, using their imaginations, which was the reason he left the human world in the first place, because people weren't using their imaginations. The professor is unable to reach his palace, and the children and the "wise" Mr. W are trying to think of a solution. The KIDS think of it, and Mr. W just congratulates them sincerely on thinking up something that he couldn't think of. (He should be banished for a lack of imagination.) Mr. W says that he made his kingdom so it would be a place where he could rule with "peace, love and a sense of fun."  What's so fun about moping in your castle? What's so peaceful about driving people out of a place where they want to be? He doesn't show any love for his subjects! He just sits in his castle, in the farthest corner of his kingdom! What can you learn from Mr. W? Don't be a fake. If you say you're something, then be that something!! 

The characters really make this story come to life, and it makes the story come into our lives. If we study these characters and the lessons, we will be better  people.