The Children's Story

by James Clavell

It was a simple incident in the life of James Clavell—a talk with his young daughter just home from school—that inspired this chilling tale of what could happen in twenty-five quietly devastating minutes. He writes, "The Children's Story came into being that day. It was then that I really realized how vulnerable my child's mind was —any mind, for that matter—under controlled circumstances. Normally I write and rewrite and re-rewrite, but this story came quickly—almost by itself. Barely three words were changed. It pleases me greatly because I kept asking the questions…

Questions like, What's the use of 'I pledge allegiance' without understanding? Like Why is it so easy to divert thoughts? Like What is freedom? and Why is so hard to explain?

The Children's Story keeps asking me all sorts of questions I cannot answer. Perhaps you can—then your child will...."

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories, Education, Politics, Dystopia, Science Fiction, Childrens

96 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1981

About the author

James Clavell, born Charles Edmund Dumaresq Clavell was a British novelist, screenwriter, director and World War II veteran and POW. Clavell is best known for his epic Asian Saga series of novels and their televised adaptations, along with such films as The Great Escape, The Fly and To Sir, with Love.


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James Clavell. (2007, November 10). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 23:16, November 14, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?t...

Reviews

[Dez the Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eye opening read by showing how easily moldable children are.

This was a short story that spawned from an actual occurrence with the authors daughter when she came home from school one day.

Compelling, intriguing, thought provoking and really eye opening.

Its amazing how moldable our children are and we don't always realize it. In a day and age when we are talking about indoctrination, this father shows us that this isn't a new concept.

If you have children, this is for you. Public school your wee ones? For you. Homeschool? For you. Want to homeschool? For you. Want to enlighten your way of thinking in any way? This. Is. For. YOU!!

[Ohr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. I feel like I shouldn't give such a high grade to this book, for fear of being associated with many of the reviewers who loved this book while entirely misinterpreting and perverting Clavell's message. This isn't an anti-Communist, pro-God, Jay-zus luhvs Uhmerika book, you slack-jawed yokels! The point is that we should not surrender our critical thinking skills nor give up our freedom of speech/expression/THOUGHT.

[s.penkevich [hiatus-will return-miss you all] · Rating 3 out of 5]

A favorite part about working in the library are the variety of books that pass across my desk, books I’d have likely not heard of otherwise or books that, without having had a moment to poke through them, I probably would never have read. This morning I came across The Children’s Story by James Clavell and, due to its extremely short page count, I figured I’d give it a go on my break. Best known for Shōgun which has had a resurgence in popularity due to a recent Hulu adaptation, Clavell wrote this short story following a conversation with his then-6-year-old daughter who, having been tasked with memorizing the US Pledge of Allegiance, admitted she didn’t know what the words meant.

The story, a sort of brief 1984 set in an elementary school classroom and steeped in Cold War anxieties and patriotism, confronts the meaning behind saying “I pledge allegiance” in the aftermath of an invasion leaving the country now under occupation. It paints in very broad strokes about the compelling and corrosive nature of propaganda, which is to its credit and makes it more of a universal warning against authoritarian rhetoric than anything else. It reminded me a bit of a short book I read in middle school, The Wave by Todd Strasser, which was based on an actual social experiment in 1967 where an high school history teacher used a series of exercises around discipline and community modeled off Nazi rhetoric in order to show students how a country could fall in line with such horrors. This is similar, yet in miniature to show how rhetoric can easily deceive. For instance, when discussing the work ‘allegiance,’ the new teacher (from the conquering nation, replacing a teacher who had ‘wrong thoughts,’ the sort of which another student was told their father was harboring and for which he needed to be taken away) states ‘So you are promising or pledging support to the flag and saying that it is much more important than you are. How can a flag be more important than a real live person?’ If it is so important why don’t they all keep a piece of it and has the students cut the flag apart. By the end of the first 25min they’ve overturned much of what they know and are praying to “our leader.”

Now, it shouldn’t need to be said but this is all a very important and sensitive topic and has been the reality of many people and countries around the world (that the US has actively aided hostile regime takeovers, especially those in South America, is absent from a story so concerned about it happening TO the US…). However, the story can read a tad corny in the “look at this great idea” that doesn’t quite hold up on the page to its intended intensity. Though I think the larger issue is that a lot of political fiction intended to shock and catch you off-guard with a big twist and rail against an opposing political opinion tends towards a heavy-handedness that isn’t all that different from the propaganda it is criticizing. I am frequently reminded of an incredible essay by Brandon Taylor on D.H. Lawrence’s idea of “moral fiction” being fiction that keeps it’s finger off the scale, so to speak, and a lot of politically motivated fiction falls under this critique.

‘I think moral fiction is less about signaling to the reader that you voted for the right people or that you are able to listen to people who would have you destroyed. Moral fiction does not signal. That is propaganda. That is social work. Not that these are unimportant things, but they are not art. And they are not moral.’

Clavell’s story holds the pledge up as pretty sacrosanct despite it having been created as a marketing gimmick to sell magazine subscriptions--which, really, is there anything more American? Though for a story about how systems of obedience and punishment are fertile soil for manipulation and indoctrination through propaganda and nationalist rhetoric it also doesn’t seem bothered that the pledge, being repeated without any understanding of its words, could also be seen in a similar light. Still, I think I’m nitpicking in a way that isn’t actually helpful to the work that is meant to be a fairly simple parable about propaganda and the manipulation of the masses, and it is still worth the 10 minutes it takes to read. Which, turns out, you can do right HERE.

3/5

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a teacher, this book reminds you that young children can 'hang' on to every word and idea a teacher supports. It reminded me of an incident in my elementary classroom few years ago. I can't remember the specific topic of discussion, but one of the students said, "I like how you present information." I told her that it is very important to do your OWN research, not rely on news media outlets, especially in today's world. She said, "Well, I am going to rely on you! You do enough research for this class, you must read it all." I immediately said, "Don't EVER rely on someone else to do your research. YOU must research to fully understand your beliefs, your ideas." It scared me to think at the age of 11, she was so willing to believe what another person said. In my classroom, I make sure multiple sides are covered; I make sure students understand why each side thinks the way they do, or might behave the way they do. But, I do know that this is not what happens in all classrooms.

This book is an example of what could happen (and in some respects, has happened already).

Teachers, if we do not explain why we do, study, or practice, what we do in the classroom, we are conditioning children to do things without thought, to do without understanding why, to perpetuate the "well, this is what we always do" mentality that exists EVERYWHERE in society.

This should be required reading for all teachers, and, the first BACK TO SCHOOL activity all classes in America should do is study what the Pledge of Allegiance really means.

[Trin · Rating 2 out of 5]

In a conquered U.S., a classroom of young kids is given a new teacher who, in less than an hour, brainwashes them and makes them evil little communists! Or something. I know I’m supposed to find this book “chilling,” but I didn’t really buy it. Though Communism is never explicitly stated to be the Big Bad, this book has the Cold War era in which it was written stamped all over it. Clavell’s New Teacher gets the students to quickly dismiss such symbols as the Pledge of Allegiance and the American flag—which, frankly, are just symbols. She also gets them to question the power of prayer, which as a godless heathen myself, I’m sure you can guess worries me deeply. Sigh. I don’t know. While the idea of “reeducation” is very scary indeed, I think the examples Clavell chose are lame, and the idea that anyone—especially a little kid—would make the leap from “the Pledge of Allegiance is kind of stupid” to “yes, I will betray my parents to our new evil overlords” is ridiculous. And in light of the fact that if anyone’s an evil overlord these days, invading other countries and reeducating their citizens to practice a shared set of beliefs, it’s us, Americans…well. This book doesn’t have a chilling effect on me. I’m already shivering.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This quick read is quite thought provoking. I'm sure many of you, like myself, we're taught the Pledge of Allegiance, and it was never explained why we say it and what those words mean. Back in the 1960s, James Clavell asked his daughter the meaning behind the pledge and the "big words" it used. She didn't know what it meant, just that she was supposed to be rewarded with a dime if she said it correctly.

Clavell, an immigrant to the US, uses this event as a springboard into the concept of just blindly following authority without any self reflection or questioning as to why we should follow that authority figure and what the ramifications can be for a society that is not equipped with these traits.

The parable follows a class in a newly conquered USA as their old teacher is replaced with a fresh faced 19 year old woman who is there to reprogram the kids into the new regimes' way of thinking. This includes that the Pledge isn't necessary, the flag is just a symbol, and that there really isn't a diety answering prayers. One skeptical student isn't buying into this, but he is gently brought into line with the rest of the class who blindly bought in. Critical thinking is a skill that is essential for society's continued existence, and we need to make sure everyone is equipped properly with this skill. Definitely recommend!

[CanadianReader · Rating 2 out of 5]

In this very slight short story, packaged in book form as a novella and fattened with many blank pages, Clavell focuses on an elementary school classroom immediately after a war, when the victors have made control of the educational institutions in an unnamed western country—evidently the US—a priority. Dressed in olive drab, a young, pretty, fresh-smelling nineteen-year-old enters the classroom. She is “New Teacher”. In her light, entirely unaccented, perfect English, she directs the children’s frightened teacher, an old-school elderly spinster, to the principal’s office, and then proceeds with an expert deconstruction of the (American) pledge of allegiance. In a few short minutes, the flag is dismantled—its cloth is cut, a piece is distributed to each student, and the flag pole is tossed out the window. God is shown not to exist, and prayer is, of course, proved to be utterly ineffectual. No one, other than another human, will give you anything, New Teacher says. “Praying to God or anything or anyone is a waste of time.” In sweet tones, she also undermines parents and their old-fashioned ideas. The grown-ups with “bad thoughts” are being sent back to school to unlearn them. In fact, the father of Johnny, the only resistant student in the class, is one of them. Ultimately, though, even this boy submits to the teacher’s charm and gentle reprogramming. Candy is enough for New Teacher to gain power over Johnny’s classmates, but she must employ a different strategy with him. She acknowledges—strokes—his intelligence and need for power by appointing him class monitor.

The last few pages of this little book apparently present a reproduction of Clavell’s scrawling handwritten explanation of the genesis of the story. According to this account, years ago one of Clavell’s children asked for a dime as a reward for quickly, accurately, and fluently reciting the pledge of allegiance—without comprehending a single word of what she was saying. This concerned the author greatly. Not understanding what you’re signing on to, just obediently and unquestioningly doing what you’re told, and getting rewards for your easy compliance—as the story illustrates—sets you up to be indoctrinated, controlled, and exploited by others (including pretty, olive-drab-clad young women who are cogs in Dear Leader’s communist, atheistic, and oppressive system).

This is a facile, underwhelming little story, dressed up as a cautionary tale. It’s not quite clear whether the author thinks the pledge is a bad thing in itself (though I detected a slight whiff of horror at the possibility of a nation’s religion and belief in God being erased). What Clavell seems to be concerned about is citizens, particularly the youngest, not being encouraged to think about what they are taught. When an educational system values and fosters obedience and compliance in children, it consequently plays a major role in creating a society whose citizenry is vulnerable to manipulation and control—by its own government and others.

Who can really argue with that?

[Phil J · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a pretty cool short story disguised as a book. I enjoyed the format, which sometimes places one sentence or paragraph per two-page spread. It's a very overt, direct story.

Basically, it's about the power of brainwashing and presenting false choices. Clavell was inspired to write it when his daughter was taught to recite the Pledge of Allegiance without being taught what it means.

Some reviewers see it as an anti-Communist story. I disagree. It is certainly a Cold War product, but more focused on the blind ideology aspect of the Cold War than on Communism itself. It could be rewritten to describe children being brainwashed in favor of the American Way.

I miss this aspect of Cold War culture. We don't talk enough about brainwashing and blind ideology anymore. Recent generations have lost the skepticism that characterized the Cold War era, and I think it has weakened our ability to think critically.

[William · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm glad I read this book, so I could read all the paranoid left-wing and right-wing reviews about what it's supposed to mean. It's amazing how many people are afraid that someone, somewhere, might be pulling a fast one on them and slipping by some kind of critique of their worldview, hiding it in plain sight.

Which makes it more hilarious, since this book can be read as a parable on the danger of accepting at face value anything.

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember when I read this book feeling chilled at how easy it is to control impressionable minds. Now, more than ever, this is a book to illustrate how mind control works. It's not really about communism taking over the world. It's not about the [sarcasm alert] horrors of prohibiting CORPORATE prayer in schools... it's a short story with a huge impact for anyone with an open mind to imagine what can happen to a group in such a short amount of time.

[Heather Reisig · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those stories that everyone should read. Not only does it show the power of teachers over our children, but it shows how easily and completely anyone can be brainwashed.

[isabelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Extremely weird and mysterious, although extremely thought-provoking. After watching the video version I'm sort of shaken up though.

I question what we teach (and don't teach) to our children.

[James Morpurgo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super thought provoking and fascinating for such a short story. I've probably spent as much time, if not more reading other reviews and comments about this story. The debates about freedom of speech, cold war propaganda, collective brain washing and the influence an individual can have on impressionable minds are really interesting.

I'm used to 1000+ page epics from Clavell and this one also shows the author's ability to also be exceptionally succinct, yet effective when presenting a chosen theme. Well worth a read if you don't quite have the time for Shogun or Tai-Pan...

[Scott Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting parable on the perils of ignorance, a sad commentary on the state of our civic awareness (which I'm sure is worse than it was when this was written), and--for me at least--a reminder of the strange power teacher's can have over children.

I have to admit with all the fiery rhetoric from both sides this story initially struck me as an overstated scare tactic (something Glen Beck might come up with as an accusation against myself and other public school teachers currently serving [we are government employees after all and government is "evil!"]), but Clavell is carefully vague in a way that benefits symbols and parables, leaving the depth of interpretation and the specifics of symbols to the reader. After reconsidering, it works clearly as described above, and IS rather chilling in many ways.

[Rhonda Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are many lessons that can come from such a short story. Yes, there are details about certain things that children should know before reading this book with them. However, after learning for example the meaning a our nation's pledge, children in 5th grade and up can generate lively and informative discussions. If your family has a firm foundation in your faith and they are firm in their patriotic duties, then this book should not be feared. Read it first and decide if it will be right for your own family. If it is, then have those fantastic talks that this book will bring up.

If you plan on using the book in the classroom, send a copy home for parents to read and let them decide if they want their children involved in reading it as a class. Each child should have a copy of the book as it is being read. The text of the book is important to see, it adds to the story. It takes about 15 minutes to read, but the discussions can go on for a long time.

[Diane S ☔ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very short yet very powerful book that show how very easy it is to influence a child's mind. To turn a child against something to someone and to bend their will to a specified agenda. Scary how easy it is to someone who knows exactly how to do it.

[Cherilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this when i was in high school. I was amazed on how great insight James had on children. It's a must read for ALL parents, teachers as well.

[Mars · Rating 1 out of 5]

Considering it was written from the point of view of the U.S. in the Cold War, it's absolute hypocritical propaganda considering the things U.S. imperialists have done. VERY recently, a Native American student (who was forced to be a part of the U.S. education system instead of being allowed to be educated on his reserves) was suspended for teaching a fellow student a word in his language. Also recently (as in a few months ago), a teacher was fired for teaching ""too much"" African American history (wtf). If you watch the short film based on this book, there was all this ominous music when the New Teacher suggested cutting up the American flag. Like oh no the ultimate evil!! AHHH how terrible they cut up a piece of fabric!!! Except it represents America so it's the Holy Cloth!!!! Dun dun dun!! These kids are totally evil brainwashed communists now lol!!
Give me a goddamn break.
Also, personally, I think the New Teacher makes pretty good points about the Pledge of Allegiance like? I'm pretty sure forcing kids to pledge allegiance with the phrase "under God" in a country that was supposedly built on the freedom of religion and freedom of dissent with the government is a form of brainwashing. Especially considering they don't think twice about it and don't even know what it means.
Another reviewer also pointed out how it's a pretty big leap to go from "wow the Pledge of Allegiance is ridiculous" to "Let's betray our loved ones & worship an 'evil overlord'" or whatever, which I totally agree with.
Kids are impressionable!! Is this news to anyone?
In conclusion, the writing style is terrible, the characterization is terrible, the dialogue is terrible, the message that it's trying to send is stupid and hypocritical. The way too sinister feel given to the New Teacher is absolutely unrealistic, and the line about how the old teacher is going to take a 'long rest' cracked me up over how ridiculous it is. The author typifies the paranoid mindset towards Russia in the Cold War and it's freaking hilarious.

0/5. (if I could give that score)

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a cautionary tale - a deceptively simple story about young students coming to school one day and finding their teacher gone, replaced by a young woman they don't want to like. But within half an hour she's won them over. Much to our dismay. Written during the Cold War, the story implies a communist takeover. This may not hold up with many of today's readers. I think it had more of an impact on me than it might have otherwise because I was a teacher at the time. Beyond any political discussion, it brought home to me the universal idea of the part teachers play in shaping children and, by extension, society.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, the very essence of why I family educate. We leave it to such happenstance, as a society, that those educating our children always have their best interests at heart. Reading this reminds me of a woman I heard at a liberty meeting that explained how faith was first removed from the curriculum, and the systematic take over of the schools by Nazi germany. Children have not developed critical thinking and are so easily led. I believe I will send a copy to all in my family with children.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't want to reiterate what everyone has written. Yes, the book was written as an anti-communist book, however it can also be read in terms of any nation that publicly educates children in the way of civic duty. Compelling and thought provoking at the least.

[Nic · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was both annoyingly true and short, which made it wonderful for me to read. It's amazing how easily a child's mind and opinions can change.
(I only read this because I'm in charge of the library at school and for some reason I decided to read EVERY book before I graduate.)

[Private Account · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fabulous satire of public education.

[Jimmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a bizarre, creepy book. I am not sure what to make of it. In fact, that's what I said when I finished it: Now what do I make of THAT!

Read again and said again, "What do I make of THAT!"

[Amber McCollum · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is for everyone. Powerful.

[Dinah Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

“It pleases me greatly because it keeps asking me questions”

A Children’s Story demonstrates how influential a role adults play in the development of children.

It reminds us that anyone who works with children should strive to educate rather than indoctrinate.

This book powerfully shows the reader how quickly adults can abuse their positions and betray the innocent lives and minds of those they are charged to teach.

Teaching without understanding is a shame. With the globalization of our world it is even more important today that we understand, and be understook, when it comes to our values and beliefs.

Teaching our children the why's is so important in providing them the groundwork for making good decisions.

It only took me about twenty minutes to read this, but now I’ve been thinking about it for the last twenty days.

Have you read this short but mighty story yet ?
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[Steven Erredge · Rating 3 out of 5]

From what I gathered Clavell gives two important lessons in this short story. One is of the power teachers, parents, and all adults have in influencing children. We must not take that lightly. Obviously, children are extremely moldable and can be persuaded easily. The other lesson is on critical thinking. It is exhaustive to critically think for oneself but it is paramount to not surrender this skill for spoon fed information and opinions. It is up to us all to do our due diligence; thinking out complex issues and information to form our own authentic opinions. To do anything less is to sacrifice your freedom of thought.

[S. Sanders · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, simple and not so sweet - a direct and pointed parable of how easily and quickly humans can be led to surrender their freedoms and beliefs (especially young children).

In this age of mass media, influencers and the smoke&mirrors political landscape - the acceptance of whatever is being fed to us is almost automatic. Clavell asks us to always question your reality and those that are presenting it to you. Think for yourself and separate from the herd.

[Ellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 but rounding up to 4.

This was a really clear and concise way of showing how important it is to have critical thinking and how easily influenced young minds are.

Important message told well but didn’t absolutely blow me away.

[Kristoph Kosicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is so good, in a matter of minutes a new teacher dismantles a classroom's entire belief system. Because they don't know what it means, they can't defend their beliefs. And maybe if they did know, they wouldn't want to? Idk. But this was clever and fascinating, thought provoking stuff!