Imagine this, if a backpack could speak what would it say? Would it congratulate the two year old for convincing her/his parents to purchase the backpack for the artistic attraction of its design, as a fashion statement that flaunts the child’s favorite cartoon character or super hero, to continue the trend set so many years ago by the first backpack carriers, or to perpetually feed the coffers of the backpack making industry of the world?

Would it convince the child that it is a happy and benign companion, that they are the best of friends for life, and that that friendship will prevail through the next generations of backpacks to come?

Would it inform the three year old that before the family takes its airplane trip the child should empty the backpack, but don’t forget to take it along, even though temporary transfer of ownership of its empty space will be necessary to allow room for grown-up things that can be overstuffed into it and it be considered an additional overhead carry on piece of luggage?

Would it advise the four year old to fill it with heavy bricks, stand tall like a trooper and get use to the extra weight, knowing full well that in a few years that four year old will actually look like a trooper on military maneuvers with the backpack stuffed with a multitude of textbooks, a variety of school supplies, an I-pad, daily lunch and who knows what else? Should the backpack echo “Back straight, shoulders back,” knowing full well that in middle/old age it will have made a major contribution to the child’s experience with poor posture and back and shoulder aches and pains?

Would it advise the pre-teen to mentally and physically place a private property, keep out sign on it for all curiosity seekers, thus making available the opportunity to possibly store contraband, paraphernalia, alcohol, and the child’s deepest and perhaps most troubling /disturbing secrets inside of it, along with the never seen again homework assignments that entered there and the uneaten half of that peanut butter and jelly sandwich that his/her parent so carefully prepared, wrapped and placed there a month ago?

Would it remind the runaway homeless teenager or destitute young adult not to lay it down or misplace it because it contains all of her/his worldly possessions and token memories of a simpler, safer and more secure and promising life, but that they can jettison the Bible to lighten the load?

What do you think the backpack would say if it could speak?…  I solicit your contributions!