Don't Sneer at Nonsense

Several years ago, I frequented library book sales and antique bookstores, always arriving early and eager to find something different and interesting. One day, I stumbled on “Words to Live By,” a collection of writings by “Ninety Eminent Men and Women,” published by Simon and Schuster in 1959.

I often gravitate back to this old book when I need a fresh perspective. Things have been busy—enormously so—which means I don’t have time for more lighthearted activities, and this can wear on me since I can’t manufacture more time. So I opened the book at random where I found a little story told by Jimmy Durante entitled, “Don’t Sneer at Nonsense.”

Jimmy Durante was a beloved comedian, actor, and singer during the last century who had famously nicknamed himself Schnozzola for the large size of his nose.

Here’s what he wrote:

The other night, after a very tough day at the studio, I try to get out of a dinner date. I say I’m too tired and grumpy to be good company. But the people insist I’ve got to show up anyway, since the lamb chops are already in the skillet. So I finally give in.
No sooner do I get in the door when my host says, “Jimmy, dinner’s not quite ready and little Clara has been waiting for you to read to her before she goes to sleep.” That’s just what I need! In the mood I’m in, I’m supposed to go through a bedtime-story session with a four-year-old. But I am trapped, so I go upstairs and take the book the kid gives me and I start to read to her.
I soon get quite a surprise. It’s been a long time since I read the wonderful nonsense about the Walrus that cries as he carves the oysters, the Elephant that plays the fife, the Pobble who has no toes, the Owl and the Pussycat which went to sea in a beautiful pea-green boat. I am soon getting as big a kick out of it as the little girl!
When I come downstairs I am all covered with smiles and ready to leap into those lamb chops. And it gets me to thinking, too—which is a feat in itself, folks. I think, Jimmy, nonsense is your stock in trade, but maybe you don’t realize how healthy it is off the job.
Maybe there’s nobody who is smart and wise enough to do without a little nonsense. Maybe it’s even more important than ever these days, when the headlines are not the happiest which I ever read, to have a sort of safety valve.
When we were all kids, we grew up with nonsense as a sort of friend. And I figure the guy who says to himself, “I’ve outgrown that sort of stuff,” must be a pretty lonely guy.”

Jimmy’s story reminds me that there was a time where I used to indulge in a lot of fun nonsense. I didn’t care about the world, really. That was grownups’ business. I don’t know how I outgrew my younger self. I guess it just happens. But it doesn’t mean I have to shun the fun stuff that comes my way. I just have to let everything else go for the moment and get as big a kick out of it as the little girl I once was.