One of the most significant compliments you can pay someone is to say his or her work is timeless – to claim that no matter what events are occurring in the world and no matter what the latest trends are, their work is admired and appreciated by their contemporaries as well as every generation that follows.

Theodore Geisel’s work is timeless.

Geisel is better known by his pen name, Dr. Seuss, and this Saturday would have been his 109^th birthday. Sixty years after his most popular books were published, and 20 years after his death, his stories are as relevant as ever.

They are still placed prominently on lists of the best children’s books of all time, and books such as “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (2000), “The Cat in the Hat” (2003), “Horton Hears a Who!” (2008) and, most recently, “The Lorax” (2012), have been adapted into movies.

No matter how much time passes, generations after generations of people learn his stories and adore his crazy characters. The books themselves may be replaced by e-readers, the drawings within them substituted by the latest CGI animation, but his whimsical words and messages behind them remain constant.

His stories are timeless in another respect, as his books help teach children to read, which is a tremendous accomplishment in itself. Beyond this, he infused morals about people and society as a whole within his playful rhymes. Not only can his books be passed down from person to person, but there’s longevity in the connection between these books and each individual, as well. Seuss’ books have lessons children can carry with them for the rest of their lives.

As much as I’d like to take an in-depth look at each of Seuss’ books and where different characters got their inspiration – Yertle the Turtle, for instance, is based on Adolf Hitler – I believe there’s a more creative way to wish Dr. Seuss a happy birthday and pay tribute to his extraordinary contributions to children’s literature.

 

This Saturday, March 2

Is an important date on this earth.

For it’s the 109^th anniversary

Of Theodore Geisel’s birth.

 

You say, “Who is Geisel?

Why’s it matter? What’s the use?”

Well, he’s better known by his pen name

The one and only, Dr. Seuss.

 

His stories are filled

With eccentrics and kooks,

And many decades later,

We still learn from his books.

 

Sam-I-Am’s friend,

However presented,

Refused green eggs and ham

But eventually relented.

 

Sam’s friend showed us

fear what the unknown brings.

When he ate green eggs and ham

We learned it’s good to try new things.

 

Seuss witnessed first hand

Industrialization,

And warned of the dangers

Of deforestation.

 

And so we can save

the environment with ease

If we listen to the Lorax

Who speaks for the trees.

 

The next lesson is one

Politicians should heed:

Be mindful of others,

Don’t be driven by greed.

 

King Yertle the Turtle,

Sought a greater domain,

Abused all his subjects

Thus no longer reigned.

 

Horton, an elephant

Proved he was wise.

He listened to everyone,

No matter their size.

 

When Horton heard a Who,

We learned to respect one and all,

For “a person’s a person,

no matter how small.”

 

And no discrimination

Should ever be seen,

Whether the stars on our bellies

Are red, blue or green.

 

We must not judge appearances

It’s what’s inside, Seuss beseeches.

Racism is useless,

As shown by the Sneetches.

 

He portrayed the magic

Of the holiday season

For those who resist it,

Whatever the reason.

 

The Grinch’s heist, truly,

Was cunning and smart.

Yet the spirit of Christmas

Three times grew his heart.

 

Among his best books,

A favorite of mine,

Perhaps he’s best known

For his farfetched feline.

 

On one rainy day,

Left alone by their mother,

The Cat in the Hat visited

Sally and her brother.

 

The Cat in the Hat brought them

Outlandish things to do

Along with his friends,

Thing One and Thing Two.

 

My favorite Seuss line

From, “Happy Birthday to You,”

A declaration of the beauty

Of the person that’s you:

 

“Today you are you

that is truer than true!

There is no one alive

who is you-er than you!”

 

This means we must celebrate

What makes us unique,

Whether we’re American, Armenian,

German or Greek.

 

We’re all weirdos and wackos

In ways no one knows.

The only real difference

Is we wear different clothes.

 

But Seuss’ grandest success

Though simple indeed,

Is that all of his stories

Teach children to read.

 

They’re easy and fun,

Kids are excited to learn.

So much taught, so few words

Pure genius to discern.

 

I’ve learned from your lessons, doctor,

And will take them to heart

As graduation nears

And my real life will start.

 

Though I’m anxious and scared,

I’ll be fine, this I know

Since you said I’ll do great in

“Oh, the Places You’ll Go!”

 

Though you’re no longer with us,

Your legacy remains,

Your diction and stories

In fiction maintained.

 

On your 109^th birthday,

I must speak the truth

There has never been anyone

Quite like you, Dr. Seuss.

James O’Hare is a senior history and political science major. His column appears weekly. He loves cheeseburgers. He can be reached at [email protected].

Published on February 26, 2013 at 3:25 am