Humpty Dumpty is not an egg!

I am currently pursuing my graduate studies and im majoring in Reading. My professor, a retired teacher ,an imperturbable mademoiselle, a Reading expert, quite profound in her own ways,  never runs out surprises in class. Last week we were assigned to study the well- acclaimed nursery rhyme Humpty Dumpty! We were given a hint that  the discussion would lead to the universal virtues of respect, honor, integrity, and love.  Much to my nonchalance, i looked it up through the net after having played the lines in my head for what may have seemed the nth time. Even so, I  couldn't establish the connection! So here's the catch. Humpty Dumpty is more than just a nursery rhyme. It is a beautiful, well-crafted poetry written by a literary genius.Set in the time of Henry VIII, it was a period of civil conflict that people lost their belief and trust of his regime. In order to regain his prestige and declare his rule over everyone, he placed a cannon on the castle walls as sign of power. What caused the great fall of the cannon is a myriad of historical events. Humpty Dumpty is the name of this legendary cannon! In the nursery rhyme, Humpty Dumpty seemed to have  been thought of as an egg since Humpty as the word appears, create a mental picture of something round or oval. What could be more suitable than an egg! To say that the pictures that appear on children's book are literal interpretations of the poem describe exactly just that. Interestingly,  the poem goes beyond telling the story of an egg. What appears to be on the wall are things that we hold dear: photographs, mementos, etc. - material,and immaterial. Why do we keep them and treat them with such care? How important are these things in our lives? How important is the friendship with someone? Integrity? Dignity? Honor? and above all LOVE? What can or cannot be done when a GREAT FALL happens? What should be done so it will not? Earlier in class I sat frowning at the guide question.  Then, I was slightly ashamed of myself for being so superficial. But then, who would ever thought that this old-age rhyme could've meant more than a cracked egg waiting to scrambled or boiled? As the discussion unfolded, I realized with great amazement how Humpty Dumpty must have touched the lives of children... and adults if they have known what the poem really means.  Who knows what the others like Jack and Jill, Mary with the little Lamb, and Baa Baa  Black sheep have to say!