Kids aren’t the only ones who take classes by Zoom! I signed up for the workshop offered by the Highlights Foundation on writing for children about science and nature. The first presenter said creativity is often achieved when one is under pressure. She created just such an exercise with a mixture of choice and assignment. The choice parts are in parentheses. I was to write about a nature concept (the two pileated woodpeckers I saw drilling on a dead treetop on my morning walk); write my piece as a parody of a song, folktale, or nursery rhyme (Froggie Went A’Courtin’); and for a particular age group (5-8 year-olds). We were given ten minutes to complete the assignment.
My ten-minute creativity under pressure write (Try singng to the tune of “Froggie Went A-Courting”:
Woody went looking for a bride. Uh-huh, Uh-huh
Woody went looking for a bride.
Took her with him by his side. Uh-huh, Uh-huh
Up and down went their red crests. Uh-huh, Uh-huh
Up and down went their red crests.
As from their holes they ate the pests. Uh-huh, Uh-huh
Home building became a winner. Uh-huh, Uh-huh
Home building became a winner.
They gained a house as well as dinner. Uh-huh, Uh-huh
The instructor pointed out as we finished that we would not have a polished product, but sometimes it took pressure to unlock creativity. She was right as the scan is not quite the same as Froggie, but no harm has come from its creation, and I am sorry I was not able to get the birds in the picture – just the dead treetop. I tried!
I couldn’t help but make a comparison to the pressured world that is our life right now. My ten-minute deadline to come up with something, or anything, pales in comparison to health care workers who are on pressure overload, compelled to seek medical procedures that stop death and vaccines that prevent the occurrence of Covid-19. Time is a critical element with sooner rather than later being the cry from all quarters. We are already hearing that promised cures and vaccines may not be 100% reliable, while scientists and medical workers unlock their own kind of creativity as they seek solutions and check that their results do no harm. That cure and that vaccine when it comes will be as creatively beautiful as a lovely piece of art or an exquisite polished piece of poetry.
While we wait, we can do our part to ease the pressure from these creative experts – stay home, wear masks, and wash our hands. Who ever knew these routine things could encourage creativity?