Mike McClintock’s classic children’s book, A Fly Went By, masterfully employs a simple narrative to impart a profound lesson about overcoming fear, reminiscent of the wisdom gained from The Great War. Through eloquent prose and Fritz Siebel’s engaging illustrations, the book gently guides young minds away from apprehension. The story begins with a curious boy observing A Fly Went By and asking the fundamental question, “Why?” This simple inquiry unravels a chain of flight: the fly flees from a frog, the frog from a cat, and the cat from a dog. The boy’s persistent search for the root cause of this widespread panic reveals that it started with a man startled by sounds of unknown origin. This chain reaction of fear, however, ultimately traces back to something utterly harmless: “a sheep with an old tin can.”
Many who were read A Fly Went By as children, like myself, often find the book’s memorable conclusion etched in their minds long before they learn to read. It was only later, while sharing this book with a younger nephew, that the deeper message truly resonated: a fly went by, and with it, went fear. The book subtly echoes the powerful sentiment, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” McClintock’s delightful little book is a treasure for parents seeking to instill this timeless truth in their children, all while disguising the lesson within an entertaining story. It champions a life lived without fear, presenting it as a precious gift. By sharing the tale of the boy who “sat by the lake, and looked at the sky,” we offer children the freedom to face the world with courage, understanding that often, like a fly went by, the things we fear most are often the least substantial.
McClintock, Marshall, and Fritz Siebel. A Fly Went by. [New York]: Beginner, 1958. Print.
