“I was thrown out of college for cheating on the metaphysics exam; I looked into the soul of the boy sitting next to me.” —Woody Allen

This time of year, we can see many young animals playing. Dr. Jane Goodall tells about a young elephant in Africa who would hide in the undergrowth along a path frequented by the water buffalo. When the buffaloes appeared the elephant would burst from his hiding place, charging and trumpeting to scatter the buffaloes in all directions. Goodall won’t go so far as to say the young elephant laughed, but she does think it demonstrates imagination and planning ability.

In Montana, half a world away, young pronghorn antelopes have been observed to play sprinting games. Fawns have been known to frolic in streams and splash each other. Fox kits stalk one another, pounce, and roll over and over in the dirt until a passing butterfly catches their attention and they bounce off to chase it. Chimpanzees tickle each other. Whales spontaneously bounce balls of kelp. Young harbor seals swim in a rush toward the beach to splash water over the older folk soaking up the sun. As you might imagine, the grown-ups object loudly.

 Goodall believes that the frequency of spontaneous play in animals indicates whether or not they are in a good frame of mind, just as it does with us. Laughter, smiles, and fun are part of the very purpose of life. As you steer the motion of your life, today, remember that you have a right to happiness.

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