I want to pay tribute to the birthday of Dr. Heinrich Hoffmann, a German physician of the 19th century and the creator of Der Stuwwelpeter. I am sure the good doctor meant well when he created his book of tales of misbehaving children and the consequences of their actions. this is where I learned about racism for the first time; also; what happens when you play with fire when alone in the house; and the gruesome fate of the boy who would not stop sucking his thumb. It is all about action and consequences.

Even today I can, recite some of the poems. So, the Dr. Hoffman way of child-rearing worked on me.