Why is a raven like a writing desk? A riddle that has baffled the truly curious for more than a century. The answer: there is no answer. Though many have come up with their interpretation, When Lewis Carroll originally wrote Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, the riddle was meant to go unsolved. This is just the kind of silly and curious antics The Mad Hatter would provide for the story.

So why are we talking about ravens and riddles in Wonderland? One guess… on 10/6 the world celebrated National Mad Hatter Day. Creators of this day, chosen for the Hatter’s hat band which read “In this style 10/6”, intended it to be a day to show your silly side. Play jokes, make up nonsensical words, go a little mad.

But things get curiouser and curiouser…

Curious Events Day is Monday, Oct. 9, and I find the close timing off these two holidays a bit serendipitous. The day is celebrated by pondering upon whatever makes you curious, like why is a raven like a writing desk?

In honor of these two days, I decided to discuss curious in this week’s weekend word, and found myself fascinated by what I found.

cu·ri·ous
ˈkyo͝orēəs/
adjective

  1. eager to know or learn something.
  2. strange; unusual.

They say curiosity killed the cat, but I don’t like to look at that glass half-empty point of view. It takes a whole lot of curiosity to be successful too. A mentality of “what could I do if I…” Just take it from one of the most successful and well-known scientists of all time…

“I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious.” – Albert Einstein

It is the passionately curious who are more likely to make it in life. Those who learn to ask why and question everything around them. Questions lead to answers and answers are knowledge. The more you know about the world around you, the more you can use it to be successful and do great things.

Alice in Wonderland reminds me of the kids in our schools. While Alice had parents back in the real world, in Wonderland, she was an orphan who relied on her curiosity and the support from those she met along the way to help her ultimately get back home safe.

Our kids are stuck in an alternate Wonderland. One where there are more enemies than friends and a lack of resources to help them survive. It is their curiosity, and the support from new friends like the nuns and fellow students, and strangers like you who provide financial aid, that will ultimately make them successful individuals.

I firmly believe that the kids we support at Hope for Hearts will be wildly successful because, like Einstein, they are passionately curious about learning. They are constantly finding new ways to learn about the world around them so they can change their life and lift themselves from poverty to prosperity. I’m awed by their constant quest for knowledge and know that with your support, we can provide them with many of the answers they seek.

Please make a donation today to support the adventures of an orphaned child in need so they too can make it home safe.

Peace,
Cristen