How the Grinch Stole Christmas is a masterpiece, both the Dr. Seuss book and its more popular animated feature. Our Christmas never feels complete without it, even with mostly grown kids. And the scene where the Grinch’s heart grows three times and bursts its container gets me nearly every time.
Despite its perfection, there are a few things that always make me ponder when watching it. I wouldn't call them Grinch Gripes, but I do have some questions:
WHEN did the Grinch ever sleep?
He eyed Who Christmas Eve festivities early in the day when he got his awful, terrible idea. He then spent the rest of it plotting, sawing, cutting and stitching before arriving in Whoville late that evening to execute his plans. For the next 8+ hours, he climbed and crawled, looted and lied, taking every holiday trinket (even the last can of Who Hash). Working through the night until sunrise, the Grinch had the energy of 10 grinches plus 2 with no sleep. Hate must be a heck of an elixir. He then spent the entire next day celebrating. Joy must be one, too.
WHERE Did the Grinch get those heftiest of sacks?
Initially they look like small canvas bags on his sled that are then individually filled in the Who homes and tossed up the chimney to fall down toward Max, stuffed to capacity. However, when ascending Mount Who, the bags apparently become a giant single sack, with nary a tree poking through the sides—talk about bigger on the inside. I need these for doing yard work.
WHY can’t we have Umbrella Christmas Trees?
It would be the greatest of Christmas decorations. A cinch for a Grinch to put up and take down every year. No strings of lights. No leftover hooks found in the carpet after stepping barefoot on one in March. Up, down and away.
WHAT kind of workout program does the Grinch do?
The Grinch does not look like an athlete, but even before getting his Christmas Joy Strength and lifting the one-ton sled over his head, this monster could move. Look at the way the Whoville Ninja Warrior traverses the wreaths dangling on wires between the Who homes. How he scales chimneys. How he slithers across floors. I wish I had his superior upper body and grip strength and his flexibility.
HOW many Who house problems exist?
The Grinch is able to billiard shoot ornaments into mouse holes that come out the downspouts into his goody bags. The Whos must have some drafty houses. And drainage and leaking problems when it rains. I would imagine it is a superhighway for bugs. They have a rodent problem. There are no locks on the doors and windows, and in some cases, no doors and windows. The Whos are content regardless. Maybe the better question is how can I be more like that?
WHO are all these Whos?
They are everywhere. Are they all related? Is the Grinch a Who, but is an outcast? Where do they all work? Why can't everyone be as forgiving as they are?
Another great Who question is who is the Max in my life? We all need a positive, undeservingly loyal, supportive, friend like that... One who cautions against our bad ideas but there to help pull us through to better ones.
Welcome Christmas, bring your cheer.
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