Why Big Bird Cried Accepting Google Doodle Award



2009 November, 4th
Phil Butler
Phil Butler
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Today’s Google Doodle celebrating 40 years of Sesame Street is so uplifting. If anyone knows how to capture the spirit or pulse of the Internet, it is certainly Google. Big Bird’s legs stick out from apparently high atop the Google logo is yet another example of Internet art nouveau. Sesame Street, one of the most beloved shows ever broadcast, turned 40 over some grumbling about whether or not Big Bird should have been replaced in the Google doodle by some other character. We caught the “Big Bird” himself in of all places Tanzania, at the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Everyone has heard the news that Big Bird was selected as the subject of a Google doodle celebrating 40 years of Sesame Street. This wonderful show for kids (and the rest of us) is without a doubt the most famous show of its type ever. A long lived one too, now that Google mentions it. However, we were surprised that some suggested other Sesame Street characters should have been the subject of Google’s artistic wizardry. So, we tracked down the big fella for his reaction. We were very surprised by his reaction, but even more surprised to find him at the foot or Africa’s tallest mountain in Tanzania – crying no less. We obviously wanted to know his plight, so we questioned the amiable yellow fellow.

  • EPR – Big Bird, we thought you would be over joyed at being made even more famous by Google today?
  • BB – I am (sniffle) over joyed, I always wanted to be famous on Google, but I saw (more sniffles) a National Geographic show about this wonderful mountain behind me (Uncontrollable sobs).
  • EPR – Goodness BB, what is wrong, at a time like this to be so sad?
  • BB – The (sob) Snows (sniffle) of (sniff, sniff, sob) Kilimanjaro (boo, hoo).
  • EPR – You are sad because of The Snows of Kilimanjaro? Why?
  • BB – Well, (more intermittent crying and sniffling) today is like a metaphor, or maybe a parable, you see? (tears streaming down)
  • EPR – How so?
  • BB – I read Hemingway’s short story almost 40 years ago, about the time Sesame Street wanted a huge bird like me to help teach kids stuff. In fact, the writing of Hemingway and other greats made me want to teach all the more. (more sniffling). Well, scientists say the ice on top of Kilimanjaro will be gone soon, all gone. (pitiful crying and boo hooing).
  • EPR – Wow BB, that IS really sad, I mean really really sad. But, how is this metaphoric or a parable? I mean what has global warming and the glaciers of Kilimanjaro melting away got to do with Google celebrating Sesame Street’s 40th anniversary, and your place in it?
  • BB – (Trying not to sob any more) Don’t you see, in Hemingway’s story, the writer (sob), the subject of the story finally discovered (boo hoo) he had always lived for today only when it was too late. He never contributed to the future, and then it was (pitful sobbing now) too late. Do you see now?
  • EPR – I see BB, from what I understand the glacier that once was the crowning glory of this wonderful place will be gone in less than 20 years. And, am I right to assume you are like the writer who waited until it was too late to think about the future?
  • BB – No, I am thrilled to be seen by all of Google. I always thought about these things and tried in my “Big Bird” way to show people. But, now these wonders are dis-a-peer-ing, and no-baaad-eee is listening. (violent, trembling sobs).
  • EPR – Oh Man! BB, people are watching and listening, they just don’t know what to do. They are wrapped up in the moment..Oh, I see.
  • BB – Exactly, I thank Google, but I would give up all my fame if the white top of Kilimanjaro could still be seen from hundreds of miles away, if all those farmers a the foot of the mountain would still have water from the melting ice, if only we could do something?(a solemn look crosses BB’s beak)
  • EPR – We understand now BB. Sometimes we should think more about critical things than about lesser ones. Do you think Google can do something?
  • BB – Well, if anyone can, Google can, but not alone. (Even more sullen) We have to wake people up, get them to live more in the future than in the now. Our world is literally dieing underneath us, and it is high time Google and everyone else did something about it.
  • EPR – We could not agree more. Will you take your case before Google BB?
  • BB – You bet I will, and I have some powerful political friends too, like first lady Michelle Obama. We talked about this very thing on Sesame Street. Well, we talked about growing food with seeds, sun, and water…Oh! Yes, without the water from Kilimanjaro’s peak, people in Africa won’t be able to grow food! (sad and puzzled). Hey, if I can get Google and the President to help, maybe people would start living for tomorrow instead of today – before it is too late. (sniff)

Wow, Big Bird sure has had a lot on his mind – Hemingway – who would have thought? Any way, Kilimanjaro and much of the rest of the world is showing signs of at least “wear and tear” from our presence here. This once legendary peak, shrouded in clouds and ice capped elegance, is now a shadow of its former self. Maybe all this is some cyclical trend as a few still suggest? Regardless, man’s impact on Earth bears more resemblance to a selfish and tragic character out of Hemingway than one of the lovable characters from Sesame Street.

My question is; “How can the same warm hearts who create such positive learning and fun for kids, the same people who create the Web’s greatest technology – and are able to interject kindness like Google does in their doodles – stand idly by at the advent of such dramatic events? Maybe we won’t tomorrow?


Big Bird and friends learn how to plant food with Michelle Obama (top). Thanks to National Geographic for the insightful video as well.

About the Author

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Phil Butler is editor-in-chief of Everything PR and senior partner at Pamil Visions PR. He’s a widely cited authority on beta startups, search engines and public relations issues, and he has covered tech news since 2004. Phil wrote in the past for ReadWriteWeb, Mashable, Profy, SitePoint, Search Engine Journal, AltSearchEngines. Follow Phil on Twitter or send him an email at phil [at] pamil-visions [dot] com.

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There Is 1 Response So Far. »

  1. Comment by Greg Delaney on 9 November 2009:

    Do they still have those old school characters on Sesame Street like Harry Monster and purple, two-headed guy? they were too funny