What a happy discovery to find Stoic Simple, the work of Phil Van Treuren. I have written before about my love of children’s books that introduce Stoicism. Rather than doing so indirectly, Mr. Van Treuren has chosen to go about it directly and intentionally.
His first fable, “The Stock Horse and the Stable Cat” was published in 2022, and his second book in the “Fables of Eudaimonia” book series, “A Dog Who Follows Gladly,” was printed in early 2023. Mr. Van Treuren sent a copy of the latter, and it did not disappoint.
Based on the ancient practice of and modern commentary on Stoic philosophy, “A Dog Who Follows Gladly” tells the story of a young, unruly dog who learns patience and perspective from his wise and subdued new companion, an older and experienced ranch dog.
The dogs are introduced when they are fastened to the back of the ranch wagon after the young dog is purchased in town. The young dog, free-spirited and undisciplined, strains against the rope and struggles to break free from the cart. The old dog explains matter-of-factly that there is no use in struggling against the rope, for, one way or another, the wagon will lead them to where they are going.
The young dog retorts, “But I don’t want to go with the wagon…I’d rather fight with the rope than do something I didn’t choose to.”
To which the old dog says, “And I would rather be a dog who follows gladly than a dog who gets dragged.”
From this opening unfolds a series of events and circumstances in which the old dog guides the young dog in Stoic principles. The book is not preachy or coercive, but rather straightforward and matter-of-fact. The message is repetitive, which might grate on the inexperienced reader of children’s stories. But children—and, in fact, adults—benefit greatly from more repetition than we often have the patience for.
Upon closing the book after the first read-through, a seven-year-old proclaimed with confidence, “I get it. I know what that book is about.” And she proved later, when quizzed by her father, that she could explain the core philosophical principle laid out in the book: We cannot always choose the circumstances of our lives but we can choose how we feel about them.
Among other lessons, the story illustrates a principle now nearly lost in our post-modern society: age before beauty. Our obsession with perceived slights and grievances and our culture’s unreasonable desire to achieve purity means an intolerance for anyone who is less than perfect. Youth demands, “How dare you?” of all past generations, operating under the false assumption that anything less than perfection in the world is the result of unbridled selfishness and incompetence rather than evidence of a complex, imperfect world.
The old dog appears at first complacent and unfeeling, but over the course of the book, the reader discovers the depth of his wisdom and insight into the nature of reality.
The application of Stoic principles was perhaps a bit uncompromising and could do with minor modification in order to apply it to children in real life. The older dog’s insistence that the younger dog’s loss of his favorite elk bone was of no concern because everything will be gone eventually is not a helpful approach with some kids. Some children feel a loss, however minor, deeply.
Rather than trying to negotiate with the searing emotion and reason with an irrational child, it can be more effective to acknowledge the loss. Even when done briefly and unceremoniously, the recognition can do wonders to allow certain children to move on from the grief they feel. Substituting for the loss won’t get you anywhere with some kids but allowing them to momentarily feel the depth and breadth of their seemingly utterly disproportionate feelings succeeds in solving the issue.
That said, Van Treuren, a father of four, clearly takes inspiration from the trials of the very young and the ways in which a coherent philosophical framework can help parents and children. In addition to his children’s books, Van Treuren offers on his website an explanation of what Stoicism is and how it can be applied to modern life. He also provides a Stoic Parenting Guide that has much to recommend it.
“A Dog Who Follows Gladly” is a splendid book to put on the shelves of children in your life. What our era cries out for in its overemotional hysteria is a return to the Stoic principles that have inspired generations of learned and civilized minds.
Though I received gratefully this first book as a review copy, I did not hesitate to purchase it and the aforementioned “The Stock Horse and the Stable Cat.” I particularly enjoyed that “A Dog Who Follows Gladly” includes quotes from Cleanthes of Assos (with whom I was unfamiliar) and Viktor Frankl at the beginning of the book. Van Treuren has drawn on a rich array of sources to offer a resource for young and old.
In addition to the two printed books, Stoic Simple features “The Stoic Fable Book: 100 Bedtime Tales to Help Kids be Kind, Resilient and Happy” and “The Urban Enchiridion: a Free Stoicism Book for Beginners.” These books can be read for free online. What a treasure trove!
If you are unfamiliar with Stoicism or feel intimidated by philosophy, the mark of a good children’ book is clarity and simplicity. Learn alongside your children for a happier home.
