Singing Happiness Through Life’s Bittersweet Journeys (3/3)
– Lost and Found: Separation, Reunion, and Belonging in Meindert De Jong’s The Wheel on the School and Five Other Stories
Journey from Peppermint Street: A Tale of Separation, Discovery, and the Long Road Home
A Journey That Changes Everything
Meindert De Jong’s Journey from Peppermint Street (1969) is a deeply reflective, beautifully written novel about a boy’s journey away from home—and the wisdom he gains before returning. Like many of De Jong’s works, this book explores separation and reunion, capturing the bittersweet experience of leaving behind the familiar, venturing into the unknown, and discovering how distance shapes our understanding of home.
Set in 19th-century Holland, the story follows young Siebren, a boy who lives a simple life on Peppermint Street. When an unexpected journey with a mysterious old man takes him far from home, Siebren must confront fear, loneliness, and self-discovery—all while longing for the comfort of what he left behind.
Through lyrical prose, quiet adventure, and deep emotional insight, De Jong masterfully portrays how separation can be both painful and transformative, and how the journey back home is just as important as the journey away.
The Separation: Leaving Peppermint Street
Siebren’s journey begins in a moment of sudden separation. Without much explanation, his mother sends him off with an elderly neighbor named Freerk, who needs company on a mysterious trip.
“He did not know where he was going. Or why. But he knew he could not refuse.”
This is not a journey Siebren chooses—like many children facing separation, he is simply told to leave, without understanding why. For the first time in his life, he is pulled away from the safety of home, the warmth of his mother, and the predictability of Peppermint Street. As the journey begins, so does Siebren’s inner conflict:
“What was home without him? And what was he without home?”
This is the core of the separation theme—when we leave home, does it stay the same? And more importantly, do we?
The Journey: Facing Fear, Wonder, and Change
As Siebren and Freerk travel across windmill-dotted landscapes and quiet waterways, Siebren experiences a bigger, stranger, and more complicated world than he ever imagined. He meets people unlike anyone in his village, sees things that challenge his understanding of life, and begins to grapple with the reality of growing up.
“The road was longer than he thought. Wider. And it seemed to go on forever.”
The farther he travels, the more Siebren feels the ache of separation from home, from childhood, and from everything he once took for granted. Yet, he also begins to see the beauty in the unknown.
“Maybe home was more than a place. Maybe home was also the way he saw the world.”
This realization mirrors the experience of every child who has ever stepped into unfamiliar territory—whether it be a new town, a new school, or simply the first understanding that the world is far bigger than they imagined.
The Reunion: Returning, But Never the Same
By the time Siebren finally returns to Peppermint Street, something is different—not just in his home, but in himself. He has seen more of the world, faced fears he didn’t know he had, and learned that sometimes, leaving is the only way to truly understand what home means.
“Peppermint Street was waiting. Just as it had always been. But was he?”
This isn’t just a physical reunion—it’s an emotional one. Siebren returns, but he is not the same boy who left. His journey has changed how he sees his world, proving that sometimes, we must step away to truly appreciate what we have.
Along Came a Dog: A Story of Separation, Survival, and an Unbreakable Bond
A Tale of Loneliness and Unexpected Friendship
Meindert De Jong’s Along Came a Dog (1958) is a poignant, beautifully written novel about separation, survival, and the quiet power of companionship. In this timeless classic, De Jong masterfully tells the story of a nameless stray dog and a lonely little red hen—two creatures who, despite their differences, find comfort in each other when the world seems indifferent.
Through vivid prose, emotional depth, and a deep connection to nature, De Jong explores the pain of being cast aside, the resilience required to survive, and the hope that comes with finding a place to belong once again. Like Shadrach, Hurry Home, Candy, and The House of Sixty Fathers, Along Came a Dog reminds us that reunion is not just about returning to a place—it’s about finding someone who will accept you as you are.
The Separation: A Stray Dog Without a Home
The story begins with a nameless, homeless dog wandering alone, searching for shelter and a purpose. He is driven by instinct, longing, and an unshakable desire to belong.
“He was a dog without a home. Without a place. But he did not stop looking.”
The farm where he arrives is not exactly welcoming. The farmer sees him as just another stray, unwanted and unneeded. But the dog does not give up.
“A dog must have a master, and he had decided that the farmer was his.”
This quiet but powerful theme of separation is one De Jong explores in many of his books. Whether it’s a lost boy, a forgotten pet, or a child torn from home, the ache of being unwanted runs deep.
The Struggle for Survival: Finding a Purpose in an Unforgiving World
As the stray dog tries to prove himself worthy of a home, he meets another outcast—a small, red hen with crippled feet. The hen has been rejected by the other chickens, left to fend for herself.
“The little red hen could not run fast. She could not even walk properly. And so she was alone.”
This unexpected bond between two creatures cast aside by the world is what makes Along Came a Dog so deeply moving. They are both struggling to survive, both fighting for a place where they will not be discarded.
“He was just a dog. She was just a hen. But perhaps that was enough.”
While the farmer focuses on practicality, the dog focuses on care. Though the hen is not his responsibility, he protects her, watches over her, and ultimately, becomes the only creature she can rely on.
This reflects a larger truth in many of De Jong’s books: love is not about duty—it’s about choice. And sometimes, family is found, not given.
The Reunion: Finding Belonging in the Most Unexpected Place
As the seasons change and the farm faces dangers, the stray dog proves his worth not by force, but by quiet loyalty. He protects the little red hen from hawks, watches over her, and in return, finds his own place in the world.
“At last, he had something to guard. At last, he had something to love.”
In the end, the dog is no longer just a stray—he has a home. And the little red hen is no longer alone—she has a protector.
This reunion is not dramatic, but it is deeply emotional. The dog is not just reunited with a place—he is reunited with a purpose. He has found his place in the world.
“He would stay. He would stay, and he would watch, and he would protect.”
War and Displacement in Children’s Lives: How The House of Sixty Fathers Captures the Child’s Perspective on War
War Through a Child’s Eyes
War stories in children’s literature often depict bravery, resilience, and loss—but what does war truly feel like for a child caught in the middle of it? Unlike historical accounts that focus on battles and politics, children’s war literature tells the quieter, more intimate stories of survival, separation, and the longing for home.
Meindert De Jong’s The House of Sixty Fathers (1956) is a profoundly moving wartime novel that captures the harrowing experience of a child displaced by war. Based on De Jong’s own experiences in China during World War II, the novel follows Tien Pao, a young Chinese boy who is separated from his parents when their village is attacked. As he struggles to navigate a war-torn landscape, his story reflects the universal experience of displaced children—those who must flee their homes, face uncertainty, and cling to hope in a world turned upside down.
But how does De Jong’s storytelling compare to other beloved war novels like Number the Stars or Goodnight Mister Tom? Let’s explore how war and displacement shape children’s lives in literature—and why these stories remain so essential today.
War Through a Child’s Perspective: The Unique Power of The House of Sixty Fathers
Unlike many war novels that center on soldiers or resistance fighters, The House of Sixty Fathers tells the story from a child’s point of view. For Tien Pao, war is not about grand strategies or political movements—it is about being lost, afraid, and desperately searching for home.
“He was alone. Alone in a world suddenly dark, and strange, and terribly big.”
This moment of separation and displacement is at the heart of the novel. When Tien Pao is carried away by a drifting boat, he finds himself in enemy territory, far from his family. His journey is not about fighting—it is about surviving.
“His father had said, ‘Hold on tight, never let go.’ But how could he hold on, when there was nothing left to hold?”
This sense of abandonment, confusion, and helplessness mirrors the experiences of countless real-life children throughout history—those who have been displaced by war, forced to flee their homes, or separated from loved ones.
Displacement, Reunion, and Hope
What makes The House of Sixty Fathers particularly powerful is its message of reunion and resilience. Despite the dangers and heartbreak, Tien Pao never gives up hope of finding his parents again.
When he is taken in by American fighter pilots, they provide food, shelter, and care—yet he still feels the ache of separation.
“The house was full of fathers. But still, he had no mother.”
Even surrounded by kindness, the longing for home never fades. Tien Pao’s journey is not just about survival, but about finding his way back to where he belongs—a theme that resonates deeply in war literature.
A Journey of Survival and Love
In The House of Sixty Fathers, Tien Pao’s journey through war, loss, and unexpected kindness is a testament to the resilience of children in times of conflict. Like Number the Stars and Goodnight Mister Tom, this novel reminds us that even in war, love and hope can endure.
As we continue our deep dive into Meindert De Jong’s works, we will explore how his stories reflect the universal experience of separation and reunion—a theme that continues to shape children’s literature today.