thomas the tank engine

I'm sure all of you know who Thomas is... A train known to a lot of kids, especially Sohrab (two and half) who is crazy about them. He is totally fascinated with the them. He has almost the whole collection of them both in die-cast and wooden collection. Yesterday, I managed to get another one (Douglas – the battery operated type) as a gift for Sohrab... it is something I wanted to do for a long time. And it was on sale, really worth it… Usually each would be like $69.90 and above luckily now got sale. hehe... I also got myself an Astro Boy figurine (now stuck on top of my study table).

At home on occasion Sohrab requests to watch the Thomas & Friends videos. At first I thought it was boring. Actually watching Sohrab get excited over the shows was entertaining. Initially during the "Thomas" time I would get so wrapped up with other stuff that I did not really pay attention to the shows. Now, it has been a while since I watched Thomas (since Sohrab is in London to see the real Thomas the Tank Engine in Croydon) I realise the stories and visuals were actually entertaining. But after last coupla weeks of totally adult tv programmes I started to grasp that I actually miss Thomas & friends.

In the show, in every 5-10 minute segment, usually, one of the trains has a scowl on their face and is complaining about their work. Or they are jealous of the other trains. Or they are boasting about how they are the best. Or worried that their paint is not shiny enough. Or they are making fun of or picking on another train. Or they have some type of issue that can only be settled by Sir Topham Hatt. Most of the time they filled with negative vibe.

Now I know these stories probably teach some type of moral, but me, as an adult, I don’t see it or rather i ignore the fact that it is something we should be doing. And also, it makes me wonder if a little boy like Sohrab can pick up on the moral. Or are we (adult) all livin in some sorta denial? I know that in life, real people, family and friends can and will act like the characters from Thomas. Maybe the show is aimed at teaching kids that they just have to deal with the fact that people can be jerks. Or mebbe the whole show meant for adults in a indirect way.

Maybe I just don’t like Ringo Starr, who narrates most of the episodes… but I like the fact that Sohrab loves the shows.