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)