Icarus

The cautionary tale of Icarus, obviously told by his father (I assume that Daedalus was the only one present at a time) is tragic, emotionally charged and intended as a cautionary tale. The simple message, “he didn't listen to his father and so he died” makes it into a very convenient story. Imagine seeing your child fall from the sky after doing exactly what you told them not to do.

I feel that we are doing a lot of it now - all this helicopter parenting; over scheduling; the expectation of a win as the only positive outcome; pressure of social media; societal admiration of success; it all reminds me of strapping the wings to the child’s arms and expecting them to behave in a certain and the only acceptable way.

Why is it so difficult to leave your child alone and let them grow their own wings or, oh horror, find that they simply don’t want to fly? Why is it difficult to accept that your child might not want to achieve anything other than a safe home, a kind partner and a tasty meal? Because if this is their happiness this is what we should aim at.

My Icarus is a story that Daedalus had never seen coming. This Icarus fell from the sky, lost his ability to fly, yet he raised himself from the rocks and is proud and happy, even with only one wing. It is a story of acceptance and happiness with one’s self.

Bronze

18’H with the base