Click Ruprecht
Not so very long ago punishment was common practise at Christmas, the feast of love. However, I strongly believe that the peoples’ attitude toward aversive measures will change to the better, and develop into a more humane way of living together. In the light of this belief and my deeply rooted, Schleswig-Holstein-born bond to Theodor Storm, I had huge fun re-writing his song of Knecht Ruprecht to reflect a similar transition in animal training. Enjoy!
Click Ruprecht
| Out from the forest I appear, |
| To tell you: Clickertide is here! |
| For at the top of every tree |
| Smart chickens sit, for all to see; |
| and there from Heaven’s gate on high |
| I saw B.F. Skinner in the sky. |
| And there beside a darkened tree, |
| In loud a voice he called to me: |
| ‘Click Ruprecht, old fellow,’ aloud he cried, |
| ‘Be quick, make haste, and do not hide! |
| All candles now are shining bright, |
| The Knowledge’s Gate is opened wide! |
| Both man and animal should train |
| With skill and fun, and not in vain; |
| and when tomorrow to earth I glide |
| Plus R will fill all hearts with pride.’ |
| And then I said: ‘Oh, Mr Skinner, sir, |
| They still make use of whip and spur. |
| And in the stables I’ve still to go, |
| many a horse feels bad, I know.’ |
| ‘You have your clicker in your sack?’ |
| ‘Oh yes, of course, it’s on my back. |
| With apples, oats, and more thereof |
| Because these treats our horses love!’ |
| ‘And is the whip there on your sleigh?’ |
| ‘Why, no! The whip would do away |
| With love, respect and mutual joy |
| And thus the bond it will destroy.’ |
| And Skinner spoke: ‘Then that’s all right! |
| I’m glad that you will spread the light!’ |
| Out from the forest I appear |
| To tell you: Clickertide is here! |
| Now tell me quick, how do you train? |
| Will whip and rope or clickers reign? |
(Nina Steigerwald freely adapted from Theodor Storm, translated by Regine Witten)
