The Moomins are kind, cheerful, and endlessly optimistic creatures created by the brilliant Finnish author Tove Jansson. Believe it or not, these adorable hippo-like characters were born thanks to an ordinary outdoor toilet. On the small island where the Jansson family spent every summer, the toilet wasn’t in the house but outside — and its walls were lined with cardboard. The family used to draw and write little philosophical thoughts right on that cardboard.
One day, Tove’s brother wrote something about Kant there. Tove didn’t know how to respond — so she simply drew a strange little creature. She later said it was “the ugliest thing she could think of.” And that’s how the very first Moomin was born. Not long after, Tove Jansson began writing children’s books, and the stories about the Moomins instantly won the hearts of readers around the world.
And it’s no wonder — their tales are full of warmth, kindness, and gentle humor. Even today, in Finland and Sweden, about a dozen authors continue writing about the adventures of the Moominvalley residents. The Moomin family still lives by their slightly naive but deeply kind and wise rules — the kind you’d want to live by yourself, whether you’re a child or an adult. AdmiGram.com shares these rules to make you smile!
Tove Jansson’s Moomins: 20 Rules of Life
- Always live in the moment.
- Sometimes, all you need to calm someone down is to remind them that you’re there.
- In most cases, every ending is also a beginning.
- We’re all responsible for those smaller than us.
- The ones who love you will never mind your clumsiness.
- Sometimes, it’s terribly hard just to be yourself.
- You must find balance between freedom and duty.
- Everyone needs to hear a good story from time to time.
- It’s hard to hide anything from your family.
- Anyone who loves pancakes can’t be dangerous.
- You don’t have to know if something’s true to believe in it.
- Even the strangest people might come in handy one day.
- Sometimes, all you really need is to talk to your friends.
- If Little My could do it, so can you.
- The night can be scary or magical — it all depends on the company.
- Always warmly welcome anyone who enters your home.
- Punishment isn’t the only way to teach good behavior.
- Sometimes, no one can really handle their feelings.
- Sometimes, mystery is far more comfortable than knowing all the answers.
- People with money might try to tell you what to do… but they don’t have flowers.
