This leads into a discussion distinguishing between the two strains of happiness and testing their plausibility. The first suggests that happiness can be understood as a psychological “state of mind” and the second as a “life that goes well for the person leading it.” One way to start this discussion is by having the students think about the question of what is “happiness” - how is it depicted in the story, and what do they themselves think it means to be happy. The first two sets of questions approach a definition of happiness and cover both of two major strains of thought on happiness. The narrator states that each toy is made happy by a different weather condition occurring on the other side of the window, but happiness itself is left undefined providing a perfect opportunity to discuss with kids the differences in approaches to the study of happiness in philosophy. Though seemingly without plot and therefore in need of much interpretation, Waiting by Kevin Henkes inspires critical thought about the nature of happiness and its relationship with meaning as the readers follow the lives of five toys on a windowsill.

Read aloud video with Kevin Henkes Guidelines for Philosophical Discussion In the end, the ten animals are happy together, “waiting to see what would happen next.” One day, a new friend arrives: a cat with patches, who did not seem to be waiting for anything - but she was! She gives birth to four baby kittens. And they are always happy to see the wind, rain, moon, and snow. They see fireworks, rainbows, snowstorms, and thunderstorms. While they are waiting, many things happen. Questions for Philosophical Discussion » Summary Waiting inspires critical thought about the nature of happiness and its relationship with meaning.įive toys sit on a windowsill looking for weather patterns that make them happy.

Waiting henkes