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20th Dec 2016

5 Key Life Lessons We All Learned From Roald Dahl

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Roald Dahl was born one hundred years ago today. The legend. 

His books are internationally acclaimed by young and old, and are very dear to many people. They tell the stories of kind-hearted individuals and they are rich in life lessons.

To celebrate Roald Dahl, the iconic British novelist, we have put together a list of the very best life lessons which Mr. Dahl has taught us all.

1. It is ok to be different

Many of Dahl’s protagonists were outsiders. Matilda in ‘Matilda’ was very different from her family, Charlie from ‘Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory’ had an especially difficult life compared to other children and James from ‘James and the Giant Peach’ had nothing in common with his aunts.

2. A person who has good thoughts will never be ugly

This is a particular quote from ‘The Twits’ where Dahl describes how ugly thoughts will eventually materialise in a physical manner.

Adorable illustrations by Quentin Blake too.

3. It’s okay to be friends with people who are different to you

The entire story of ‘The BFG’ communicates this lesson. It is seen in almost all of Dahl’s stories for example when Matilda befriends Miss Honey or how Charlie is very close to Grandpa Joe.

4. Believe in yourself

Mr Fox from ‘Fantastic Mr Fox’ displays this. He is confident in his abilities and therefore achieves above and beyond expectation.

Dahl wanted his readers to believe in themselves too.

5. Good things come to those who wait

Matilda eventually escapes from her hellish family, Charlie becomes the richest man in the town and James gets all the friends he could possibly wish for.

Happy endings all round.

Roald, you certainly had a way with words!

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