What does Humpty Dumpty mean?


Humpty Dumpty is a metaphor for pride that takes offense. The riddle's answer separates an egg from its ego, helping a child to recognize that he has control over his shell.

The following egg-sample is based on a true story and is meant to show parents how to use Humpty Dumpty to raise their children:

Once upon a time, Mother Goose drove down the highway, pondering the mysteries of the universe with her 8-year-old egg who was safely strapped into the backseat.
"Why is the sky blue?" chirped the egg.
"Sometimes it's not," Mother Goose replied wisely. "Sometimes it's purple. Sometimes it's pink. Light comes in many colors."
"What IS light?" the egg asked.
"That's a good question," she replied. "I don't have the answer right now," said Mother Goose, humbly aware of her limitations.
"Why?" her egg pressed.
"I have to find the right answer," Mother said. "You may not be old enough to understand," she remarked.
"But I AM old enough!" the egg whined, offended and cracking his own shell at the idea of not having achieved the great age he wanted.
Mother Goose recognized the symptoms of fallen pride from her egg and felt her own internal shelf begin to crack as well... She wanted a peaceful environment to be greater than the friction on her ears.
"Humpty Dumpty fell," she quacked. "Please put him back on his shelf."
The little egg saw that he was tearing himself apart... and stopped rocking in his seat. After a few moments, he smiled patiently and said, "OK, mother. I like that metaphor."
Mother Goose looked in the rear-view mirror at her egg. He had humbly acknowledged his limitations - he couldn’t be any older than he was - and had grown up just a little. She smiled as well, humbled by his ability to put himself back together again.

Piece be you. (sic)

-Egoomelette