What makes life good is different for everybody. We’re a lucky bunch here at Head Start because we get to see – every day – the different things that different children learn about being happy: some things they learn from each other, like sharing; some things they learn from their teachers, like using words (rather than a poke in the eye) to tell somebody else how they feel; and some things they learn from themselves – like all the stuff you can make up in your head.
Here’s a tip from Haley, the girl in the box: next time you want a new car or new clothes or new friends or a new house – remember her: given a choice between romping around in a fancy new playhouse, consider how happy she is, right now, all curled up, all by herself, in a raggedy cardboard box.