Modi eating ice cream after his shot with a smile on his face is a powerful statement on how overcoming fears every day can be worth the pain, resulting in adventure and enjoyment. Taking interest in the subject of fear helps the children to stay focused on the philosophy of asking why we feel fear.
The kids will begin to see how to trust in themselves and others and ask questions that could help solve their fears. Through this discussion, the children will gain a deeper understanding of their fears, where they might come from, and maybe even how to overcome them. Fear can be seen as undermining our freedoms. Philosophers have pondered how fear has saturated every layer of our world-this paradoxical trait of fear emerges when people are living securely in life. Or could it be the case where there was a previous engagement with the fear before it was a fear and it caused pain and they are scared of it causing the pain again? Do we create our own fears consciously, or does our brain create these fears by itself, unconsciously? The Brave Pirate Monkey allows us to examine the nature of our fears. What is it that causes people’s fears or makes them scared? Could it be a large and sharp object that looks scary? Maybe they have seen it cause pain or horror to someone else, and it makes them afraid. This treasure helps Modi get past his fear of needles by taking him into the future. Brave Modi takes the fastest ship through the wildest seas and past the most unspeakable creatures in search of a treasure to protect him from the little needle. Modi tells his father about his visit to the doctor’s and his father gives Modi a map that points to a way to help with the needle. But when Modi visits the doctor’s office for a checkup and learns that he will need to receive a shot to protect him from scurvy, Modi is afraid because he dislikes needles. Modi, a brave pirate, sails the wildest of seas and travels on the longest of journeys and has no fear. Hayes Robert’s book The Brave Pirate Monkey raises the question of how we get over our biggest fears.
This book is available for free in digital format here. Modi finds the treasure, a rock that he can squeeze to travel three seconds into the future, and uses it after the shot. His father gives Modi his fastest ship, a treasure map that will help at the doctor’s office, and immediately sends him on his way. The doctor notifies Modi that he needs to return tomorrow for a shot to protect him from scurvy. Modi the Monkey Pirate has a doctor’s appointment.
Questions for Philosophical Discussion » Summary The Brave Monkey Pirate is about fear, where it comes from, and how we can overcome it.