Listen to the Whoa
‘No’ means ‘no’.
Loads of people already know that, of course; however, there’s a big problem with the ones who selfishly refuse to respect that rule.
This is another one of those crucial lessons that people should be learning early on, right along with the fact that one whole hell of a lot of other stuff (well beyond just words) also means ‘no’.
In essence, only ‘yes’ means ‘yes’.
So, how do you verify an authentic, autonomous ‘yes’? Well, one step is listening for the ‘whoa’, even if you don’t explicitly hear the specific word ‘no’.
The song isn’t just about teaching a lesson. I’d like those children who already cherish this perspective to know that other people feel the same way (whether or not they are fortunate enough to have substantial support at home).
The lyrics started out with the kitten asking other animals to go on adventures, but that felt too abstract in context, so the story was shifted to the rough-housing in which little animals engage on their way to becoming adult animals; in fact, I had considered using Mammalian Play as the title for the song, but then I didn’t want the word “play” to risk the suggestion that this sort of abuse might be excused as mere teasing or playing.
And then the whole happens, hoppens, hippens, heapens thing sort of just… happened. (Good heavens.)
Lyrics
Listen to the whoa...
Little Kitten wants to play,
learning to be fierce someday.
"Let's wrestle round," she says to Mouse,
who happens to be in the house.
But Mouse says, with a timid meep...
"No, thank you, friend.
Your sharpy claws
give me pause."
When one says "no," that's where it ends
`cause only "yes" means "yes."
The same for strangers as for friends,
you never need to guess.
Even if you don't hear "no,"
ya gotta listen when they mean "whoa."
Little Kitten wants to hunt,
grow with sneak and stalk and stunt
"Come wrassle down," she says to Rabbit,
who hoppens by out of habit.
But Rabbit says, with a softened sigh...
"I should go, friend.
Your pointy fangs
give me pangs."
When one says "no," that's where it ends
`cause only "yes" means "yes."
The same for strangers as for friends,
you never need to guess.
Even if you don't hear "no,"
ya gotta listen when they mean "whoa."
Little Kitten wants to chase,
developing her style and grace.
"Let's play-fight now," she says to Chick,
who hippens by her very quick.
But Chick says, with a chirpy cheep...
"That's too rough, friend.
Your eager pounce
makes me bounce."
When one says "no," that's where it ends
`cause only "yes" means "yes."
The same for strangers as for friends,
you never need to guess.
Even if you don't hear "no,"
ya gotta listen when they mean "whoa."
Little Kitten wants to brawl,
glory in a free-for-all.
"Like tumble play?" she says to Pup
who heapens fluffy pillows up.
And Pup says, with a big ol' bark...
"Yes! Let's play, friend!
Your crazy romp
makes me whomp!”
When both say “yes,” that's where it starts
and playtime becomes fun.
We're sharing love with open hearts
when friends consent as one.
Even if you don't hear "no,"
ya gotta listen when they mean "whoa."
Listen to the whoa...