This story raises the question of whether or not a
person can point to something that does not exist and if pointing is
the same as saying what you want. There are times when others do not
understand if you only point, because sometimes, especially if there
is a clutter of objects, what object you are pointing to is ambiguous.
Albert's father believes that because no one in the
family has ever had a toothache before, it is impossible that Albert
should have one. However, there have been events in history and in our
lives when we've experienced new things. It makes you wonder what events
are considered impossible and why they are.
Imagination can cause us to believe certain things.
Albert is a turtle who believes he has a toothache, but the fact is,
turtles do not have teeth. There is a possibility that people can create
imaginations so realistic to themselves that their creations can become
realities. Also, it brings up the possibility that Albert has forgotten
what he is and that he really does not have any teeth. At one point
in the story, Albert says that a gopher bit him. It makes you wonder
if he means the pain in the gopher's teeth has transferred into his
mouth.
Knowledge and belief are sometimes thought to be the
same thing and others think they are two different things. If you were
sure something was true, is that like believing it? When someone holds
a certain belief, it can be changed and what they had known to be true
can also change in correlation.
When it comes to lies, there are different types and
shades of grey. For example, someone can tell her friend that it is
Wednesday without realizing it is really Thursday. The statement she
has said is not true, but it is not a lie either.
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