Reluctant badger from ‘He Got Caught’ cartoon
I always liked old Russian cartoons that I used to watch in my childhood. While they might look less colourful and dynamic than Disney’s animations, their characters are truly endearing. I still enjoy watching some of those cartoons and as an adult, I always discover something new in them, something I have not spotted when I was watching them as a child. Here is one of my favourite Soviet cartoons called “He got caught”. The little mouse in this cartoon is so much like me as a child. Although I was the youngest and the smallest in my family, my explosive temperament and stubbornness (oops, I mean persistence, determination and resilience 😉 ) were definitely making up for my inferior physical characteristics.
My children came across this cartoon the other day.
“Which character in this cartoon resembles me?”, I asked, expecting them to point at the little mouse.
“Oh, you are so like this squirrel”, they giggled.
“The squirrel? Hm…”. Their answer puzzled me at first, but then I thought they might be right. I looks like I did change my ‘character’ over time. I’m not a little mouse any more, I’m more of a ‘squirrel’ now, just like the one in this cartoon.
“The little mouse is me,” added my youngest child with a big grin. So true. Other children laughed.
“And I’m the beaver”, chuckled my oldest child.
“And the badger”, they all burst into laughter; “We have the badger in the family too…”
“Oh yes, the badger,” I thought. We definitely have the badger too. I bet you have seen such badgers in your life. How would you get such reluctant badger to engage with family life and activities, to get out of his or her comfort zone, to develop new skills? What would you do?
From The Medical Journal of Australia
THE END
Otrazhenie 
Well shaming the reluctant one into action is one way. Making people realise they are part of a team or family and that their participation is necessary is another way.
I did enjoy the cartoon despite the sub titles disappearing after about 3 minutes. And I’m sure the rabbit at the end did say “What’s up doc?’
Thanks for sharing.
Good points. Glad that you liked this cartoon. 🙂 I’ll see whether I can find another copy on YouTube with better subtitles.
I agree with you. I also like the old Russian cartoons. They are very moving. 🙂
So true – very moving. And they do teach children a lot about human nature and psychology, good values and team work. It is amazing how much children of my generation have learnt from those wonderful cartoons.
Hi,
Nice cartoon. Simple and good.
I don’t have the experience as a badger or as a parent.
Just assuming to be into such situation, i would say this
“While it could be tempting to do something to the reluctant badgers, i would try my best not to do anything, unless I believe there is some intention in the child itself to overcome it.”
From a parents point of view, it might be necessary to teach kids what is right , what is wrong, and it is also necessary to give them enough space and freedom to figure it out on their own. It is a prioritized balance, teaching them the fundamental aspects and giving the space to learn the rest on their own.
If at all something has to be done, I would show kids why i think it is important to adapt certain changes, and will motivate them with love. I would also take, health of the child into consideration. As mind and body are interconnected, you could find the roots of a behavioral pattern from the physical sources such as diet, lifestyles. So i would just make a cross check if something is not fine with the health point of view as well.
If nothing of the above works, i would use my biggest weapons, i would sing songs, and dance, in front of him/her till he/she changes, that will certainly work, no doubts on it.
Thinking again on your question. There are two main possibilities of its occurance, in general.
One where the parent find it is necessary for bringing about a change. I haven’t seen this possibility very common.
The other where the parent is unable to cope up with the childs behavior towards a particular situation. This is very common. While obviously, it would look like for a valid reason, but the roots are the uneasiness.
While it is the first possibility, i would try to change the kid.
While it is the second possibility, i would try to change myself and then to think on the kid.
Very good points, satzie. Would you take the same approach if the badger is an adult?
Hi Otrazhenie
There are no fixed super formula that could suit all the situations. I’m talking in general, while it could vary according to the situation.
Whether it is a badger or someone else, whether thats a kid or an adult, a friend or stranger, my intentions are what i have said above.
I use the same approach with my parents.
I think it works, not that everytime what i wanted happened, but sometimes i came to understand what they were trying to convey could be right as well.
I have not found myself trying this approach with a teenager or someone at their early twenties(20,21).
But i believe it could fit any age.
Thanks for your insightful comment. Glad that your approach works well with your parents. 🙂
🙂