In a light-hearted exploration of children’s curiosity, a recent episode of the podcast Everything Under the Sun, hosted by Molly Oldfield, showcased a series of imaginative questions posed by young listeners. Among these inquiries, one particularly stood out: why is there no representation of Wales on the Union Jack? This question, posed by nine-year-old Odysseus, highlights a complex historical context that many may not fully understand.
The absence of Welsh symbols on the national flag can be traced back to the flag’s creation in the early 1600s. At that time, Wales was considered part of the Kingdom of England after a long period of conquest. This led to a significant simplification of national identity, effectively merging Welsh representation into the English identity. Furthermore, the iconic red dragon of Wales was deemed too intricate to incorporate into the flag’s design. Despite this omission, there is an interesting fact: the dragon appears on the reverse side of the Union Jack, symbolizing its historical significance.
The podcast continued with other equally charming questions from children. Six-year-old Asa asked, “Do fish pee?” The answer was a mixture of fun and science: while all fish have the ability to excrete waste, some do so only under specific conditions.
Another question came from seven-year-old Adara, who inquired about the possibility of rainbow-colored flowers. The response clarified that while nature can produce flowers in a variety of shades, truly rainbow-colored blooms are rare. Artificial methods can create vibrant colors, but they are not naturally occurring.
In a more whimsical turn, five-year-old Otis pondered how the sun remains in the sky. Participants were amused by the range of imaginative answers, from agreements between celestial bodies to the scientific explanation that gravity keeps the sun in its orbit around the Milky Way.
Finally, five-year-old Lydia asked about the creation of “sleepy dust,” the term children often use for the matter that collects in the corners of their eyes during sleep. The podcast humorously explained that this phenomenon is a mix of mucus, skin cells, and other natural byproducts of being asleep.
Molly Oldfield’s podcast serves as a delightful platform for children to explore their world through questions that blend curiosity with learning. The series not only encourages children to think critically but also to engage with complex topics in a playful manner. The accompanying books, including Everything Under the Sun and Everything Under the Sun: Quiz Book, further expand on these themes, inviting young readers to delve deeper into the wonders of their surroundings.
This initiative highlights the importance of fostering curiosity in children and providing them with the tools to seek knowledge about their identity and the natural world around them.
