“And that is a story that no one can beat,
When I say that I saw it on Mulberry Street.”
The story delves into the world of a child’s imagination and how a young mind lets the fantasies run wild. Rather than be satisfied by reiterating what he saw, Marco wishes to come up with a much more imaginative take. Thus, he transforms a story of a horse dragging a broken-down wagon into one that is dragged by a zebra; however, he does not stop there as he lets his imagination create imaginary things and people. The line famously known to be inspired by a ship’s engine sound brought to life the rhythmic writing of Dr. Seuss.
“Stop telling such outlandish tales. Stop turning minnows into whales.”
The story also highlights the father-son relationship through the two characters. Marco recaps his father’s reaction to his imaginative stories showing the distinction between their sense of the world. As a child, Marco is fascinated by his sense of wonder and imagination but his father does not entertain his fantasies. It demonstrates the difference between the minds of children and adults and how they approach their daily life. Therefore Marco is aware that they share separates sentiments when it comes to his imagination and creativity. The statement expresses the anger and frustration that his father harbors when he rants about his fantasies.
“Nothing,” I said, growing red as a beet,
“But a plain horse and wagon on Mulberry Street.”
Even though Marco is fascinated by his sense of wonder and imagination he knows his father will be less than pleased. The narrative entails the overarching motif in most Dr. Seuss’s stories of hiding the inner imaginative side from those conformed particularly adults. Rather than tell him and be scolded and discouraged Marco chooses to keep it for himself and enjoy them. He reciprocates the energy that his father gives by talking about the mundane reality that he expects from him.
