One of the books that became a teaching resource at Rick’s House of Hope was Dr. Seuss’s “I Had Trouble in Getting to Solla Sollew.” We would reflect with the children about all the troubles the character had on his journey to that wonderful land where they had “no troubles at all.” However, the reputation of Solla Sollew turned out to be a fiction. Seuss’s character decides instead to dig deep and find the strength within that he needs to cope with his troubles. One of the final illustrations shows him wielding something that looks like club or baseball bat. I always explain that the bat is a symbol of our strength, not a tool of violence. One year I wrote this song to help the children remember and learn the lessons we wanted to teach them:
TROUBLES
(TUNE: Three Blind Mice)
Adapted by Robyn Plocher ©2004
One little trouble (repeat)
Ouch! How it hurts! (repeat)
I never had any troubles before.
I’ll never have any troubles no more.
I’ll be careful, careful, careful.
Two little troubles (repeat)
Come from front and back (repeat)
I never had any troubles before.
I’ll never have any troubles no more.
I’ll be careful, careful, careful.
Three little troubles!
Four little troubles!
See how fast they come! (repeat)
I’m running away to sweet Solla Sollew
On the trouble-free banks of the River Wah-hoo.
There’ll be peace, peace, peace.
More little troubles (repeat)
(wailing) Why does this happen to me? (repeat)
My camel got sick. I got drafted for war.
I fought floods and Poozers and bird-things galore.
Oh, trouble, trouble, trouble.
(Slowly) One BIG trouble. (repeat)
O, woe is me! (repeat)
I cannot go in to sweet Solla Sollew
On the beautiful banks of the River Wah-hoo.
Oh, what shall I do?
(LOUD) I still have troubles. (repeat)
But I won’t run away. (repeat)
I’m strong, I’m brave and I’m able to cope.
I won’t run away, and I won’t give up hope
When I’m troubled, troubled, troubled.
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