We have to realize that the child’s world is without economic purpose. A child doesn’t understand – happy ignorance – that people are paid to do things. To a child the policeman rules the street for self-important majesty; the furnace man stokes the furnace because he loves the noise of falling coal and the fun of getting dirty; the grocer is held to his counter by the lure of aromatic spices and the joy of giving. And in this very ignorance there is a grain of truth. The child’s economic world may be the one that we are reaching out in vain to find. Here is a path in the wood of economics that some day might be followed to new discovery. Meantime, the children know it well and gather beside it their flowers of beautiful illusion.
Source:Â On the Front Line of Life by Stephen Leacock; in John Robson's Words Worth Noting
Posted: 2025 Nov 15
Beautiful!
Tom
Tom – 🙂
Jealousy for magnolias just growing around you does not quite overwhelm me. I am instead grateful that you send the photos to this not-yet-flowering-much part of the country.
Judith – Yeah, I couldn’t believe it when I found that there were magnolia species that were hardy in Ottawa. How could I not plant one?
I think location has much to do with success: a nook with radiant brick or stone walls in the sheltering house; a southwestern exposure; perhaps a wind-break from a neighbouring house or garden. One great beauty in Kingston faced the Lake, certainly a moderating influence on winter’s cold.
Laurna – That seems right. Our small tree is in a sheltered backyard. Mind you, in Calgary, we had to consider the risk of false springs with chinooks, so planting eager beavers near warm walls was a definite no-no. 🙂