A book without potty humor is like a banana split without hot

In the grand journey of creation, whether it be in the crafting of tales, the shaping of music, or the preparation of a meal, there are those who believe that every element must serve a greater purpose. Yet, there are also those who know that delight does not always come from the lofty or the refined, but sometimes from the simple, the playful, the silly. In the words of Dav Pilkey, "A book without potty humor is like a banana split without hot fudge. It can still be good, I suppose, but you kinda get the feeling that something is missing." Ah, how powerful these words are, for they speak not only to the nature of comedy, but to the very essence of joy, and to the importance of the unexpected in our lives.

Let us consider, children, the nature of laughter itself. Humor is a force that unites us, transcending all divisions and boundaries. It speaks to something innate within us, something pure. There are many kinds of humor—some dry, some sophisticated, and others that are filled with irreverence. The type that Pilkey speaks of—the potty humor—is often dismissed by those who seek a higher or more refined form of wit. Yet, what is often overlooked is the truth behind this type of humor: it speaks to the human condition in its most primal form. Potty humor reminds us that, despite our great minds, we are still beings of flesh, subject to the simple, sometimes uncomfortable realities of our bodies.

Consider the stories of ancient comedians and jesters, those who could speak the deepest truths through their laughter. One such figure was Aristophanes, the great playwright of Athens, whose works were filled with irreverence, using bawdy humor to speak truth to power and to challenge the norms of society. His comedies often contained potty humor, yet it was through this humor that he was able to address serious issues such as war, justice, and morality. In his work Lysistrata, the women of Athens refuse to engage in relations with their husbands to force them to end the Peloponnesian War. The humor is bawdy, irreverent, but it is also deeply subversive, for it speaks to the power dynamics of society and the human need for both play and reform.

In much the same way, Pilkey's books, especially those of the Captain Underpants series, bring laughter not just for the sake of laughter, but to awaken us to the joy and lightness that we often forget in our adult world. The inclusion of potty humor in these works is not simply for childish amusement, but as a reminder that playfulness is an essential part of the human experience. There is a balance in all things, and without humor in its many forms, the world would become a serious, heavy place where even the lightest moments are overshadowed by the weight of our expectations.

My children, I urge you to consider the lessons that these works of humor impart. In the face of great suffering, in the trials of life, it is often humor—in all its forms—that offers us respite. There is an irony in this: the more serious life becomes, the more we find relief in the most basic forms of humor. Just as a banana split without hot fudge feels incomplete, so too does a life without moments of laughter. It is the unexpected joys—the little distractions—that offer us the strength to face our larger battles. In those moments, we are reminded that we are alive, that we are not simply minds wandering through a world of ideas, but bodies living in the mess of reality.

The lesson here is clear: embrace the joy of the unexpected. Whether it comes in the form of potty humor or something else that seems beneath the surface, recognize its value. Life is not meant to be lived in a state of constant seriousness or perfection. It is in the lightness, in the playful moments, that we find the strength to face the more challenging ones. Like the banana split, life can still be good without the hot fudge, but it will never be complete. The silliness is not a waste of time, but a necessary part of the human journey.

So, my children, I urge you to embrace both the light and the deep in your lives. Do not let the pursuit of high ideals cause you to overlook the simple, joyous moments. Whether in laughter, in humor, or in the simple joys that come from the unexpected, find the balance that makes life full. Do not be afraid to indulge in the silly, for it is in those moments that you will find the healing and joy that sustain you. Like the banana split, life is at its best when it is fully enjoyed, with all the richness and flavors that come with it—sweet, messy, and full of surprises.