Helen Hayes: 'From your parents you learn love and laughter and how to put one foot before the other. But when books are opened you discover that you have wings.'

From your parents you learn love and laughter and how to put one foot before the other. But when books are opened you discover that you have wings.

In her insightful quote, renowned actress Helen Hayes beautifully captures the fundamental elements of learning and personal growth. With her profound words, she suggests that from our parents, we receive the foundation of love, laughter, and the basic skills needed to navigate life. However, it is through books, when their pages are opened and their stories absorbed, that we discover a new dimension within ourselves – our wings. This metaphorical twist alludes to the transformative power of literature, which not only expands our knowledge and understanding but also ignites our imaginations and emboldens us to explore uncharted territories of thoughts, ideas, and possibilities.At first glance, the quote by Hayes seems rather straightforward and self-explanatory. It reminds us of the essential values and teachings our parents impart upon us. They are the ones who nurture and provide us with the key components of love, the indescribable bond that shapes our understanding of relationships and compassion. They shower us with laughter, serving as a reminder to live life fully and to find joy even in the simplest of moments. Furthermore, our parents are instrumental in teaching us the basic steps of survival, guiding us as we learn to put one foot before the other, both literally and metaphorically.However, when Hayes mentions the opening of books, a philosophical concept emerges, adding a layer of profound significance to her words. Books have long been heralded as portals to different worlds, reservoirs of knowledge, and containers of unruly imagination. They have the power to transcend time and space, as well as the ability to connect us to those who came before us. It is within the pages of these books that we find solace, inspiration, and the encouragement to spread our wings and soar to previously unimagined heights.Contrasting the teachings of parents with the discoveries made through books unveils a unique dichotomy that shapes our journey of self-discovery. While parents provide us with love, laughter, and the basic skills needed for survival, books enable us to develop the wings necessary to navigate the vastness of our own minds, as well as the complexities of the outside world.There is a symbiotic relationship between these two sources of knowledge and growth. Parents introduce us to our own roots, teaching us about our heritage, ethics, and morals. They are the guardians of tradition and familial bonds, imparting essential life skills and equipping us with the tools to face the challenges that lie ahead.On the other hand, books allow us to extensively explore the realms of imagination, empathy, and critical thinking. They foster a sense of curiosity that encourages us to question, to seek knowledge beyond the immediate, and to approach the world with an open mind. Through books, we encounter a myriad of characters whose lives and experiences diverge from our own, broadening our perspectives and enabling personal growth.One can argue that the love, laughter, and foundation instilled by parents provide the necessary grounding for us to embrace the flights of fancy that books offer. Without the strong roots planted by our parents, we may struggle to find our balance as we venture into the realms of literature and its transformative powers. Likewise, books enhance the teachings of parents, complementing their wisdom with new insights and perspectives that we may never encounter otherwise.Ultimately, the quote by Helen Hayes serves as a reminder that our parents and books are not mutually exclusive sources of knowledge and growth. Instead, they work in tandem, shaping us in unique and complementary ways. Just as love, laughter, and basic skills are essential for navigating life, the discovery of wings through books opens up new opportunities and dimensions within ourselves. When parents and books come together harmoniously, they empower us to not only put one foot before the other but to soar to unimaginable heights, fueled by the love, laughter, and wisdom we have received and the endless possibilities the written word has unveiled.