There are many different variations of the story of the Three Bricklayers. The oldest source I could find is a book by Bruce Barton published in 1927, which recounts a story from 1666 featuring architect and scientist, Sir Christopher Wren. Wren was responsible for rebuilding St. Paul’s Cathedral after a fire during the previous year…
The Learning Log
A Parable about Rebuilding or Repairing the World
I came across an inspiring parable in Robin Sharma’s book, The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari. The book itself is a parable (or fable), but it includes a anecdotal story that I really found profound. Here is my retelling of the story for kids: A father sat down after a long day’s work and wanted…
J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Road Goes Ever On” Reflection Questions
At the core of J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic works, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, is an ongoing poem by the protagonist, Bilbo Baggins. The poem is a wonderful summary of the experience of adventure. It is also a wonderful summary of the experience of life. It offers us a great opportunity to help…
My 2023 Annual Project Report
Here is a look back at 2023 and the lessons I learned as full-time author and creator. This is the seventh annual project report (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022). Here is the month-by-month breakdown of the time I spent as a creator: MY TOP 25 PROJECTS Total Time: 843:54 Hours MY 2023 VISION & GOALS In 2022 I…
“The Selfish Giant” by Oscar Wilde: Summary, Meaning, and Questions
“The Selfish Giant” is a short story for children by Oscar Wilde. Wilde lived a complex and controversial life but, like the Giant in his story, Wilde had a conversion to Christianity late in life. He wished to be baptized and received into the Church on his deathbed in 1900. He wrote this Christian fable…