Just So Stories · Theme
Communication and Misunderstanding
How Just So Stories develops Communication and Misunderstanding.
Taffy's attempt to send a message through pictures leads to a comedic series of misinterpretations and chaos, showing how early forms of communication can be easily misunderstood.
Where it surfaces
- How the Whale Got His Throat
The whale misunderstands the nature of 'Man' and the Mariner's intentions, leading to a series of events that alter his biology.
- How the First Letter Was Written
Taffy's picture letter is misinterpreted by Teshumai, leading to a tribal uproar, illustrating the pitfalls of early communication.
- How the Alphabet Was Made
The chapter focuses on the invention of a written alphabet to avoid past misunderstandings, such as Taffy's earlier picture-letter mistake, and to enable clear communication without spoken words.
- The Cat That Walked by Himself
The Cat's independent nature and the Woman's bargains highlight the nuances of communication and the misunderstandings between wild and tame.
- The Butterfly That Stamped
The butterfly's lie to his wife and the queens' misinterpretation of the palace's disappearance highlight misunderstandings.