Puff the Magic Dragon

Today I was doing some review with my 2nd grade music class. We were going through some of the songs that they learned earlier in the school year, before we started working on the Christmas program.

They all got so excited when we got to the pages with the song Puff the Magic Dragon.

"I love this song!"

"This one is my favorite!"

"Yes!"

Now, it was very cute hearing them get so excited over a song. And they were darling singing it.
The thing is though, this song depresses me.

Puff and Jackie Paper are great friends, and they do everything together. They go out on all kinds of adventures and everyone knows who they are.

Then Jackie grows up. He stops going to see Puff.

Puff doesn't have his best friend anymore and he's all alone.

"Without his lifelong friend, Puff could not be brave. So Puff that mighty dragon sadly slipped into his cave."

This line of the song alone makes me want to cry! I get into a funk every time we do this song in class.

We've read the story out loud, and I've explained it to the kids. But they aren't phased by it one bit. Even the sad parts they sing with smiles on their faces.

Now I'm know that I am pregnant and over-emotional, but I remember this song bothering me last year as well. So why do I see it as a downer while the kids favor it?

All I can think is poor Puff! I'll come hang out with your in your cave. Or you can come over to my house. I'll make spaghetti. Then we can watch Law and Order reruns on tv. You've probably never seen them before, so it'll be like watching new episodes! Then maybe we can all go out and I'll take you to my favorite restaurant. Do you like sushi, Puff? You should try it!

This problem that I'm having here probably is connected to the fact that I still purchase stuffed animals for myself.