Bein' Green Trivia Quiz

Answer: Leaves

Leaves are green because they contain chlorophyll, a pigment that absorbs light and helps the plant make food for itself. So, instead of saying that it's sad to be the color of the leaves, maybe this is actually another reason why it's good to be green! For more information, see http://www.realtrees4kids.org/sixeight/letseat.htm

Answer: Colorful

"Bein' Green" was written by Joe Raposo for "Sesame Street" in 1970. Raposo would go on to write many wonderful tunes for educational children's programming in the 1970s and 80s, including his work for "The Electric Company" and "Shining Time Station". For more information about this wonderful writer, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Raposo

Answer: Ordinary

"Blending in" may not be such a bad thing, either. Most scientists think that green animals like frogs are that color so they will not be seen by other animals that might try to eat them. It's probably better to be green than lunch! For more information, see http://www.thefrog.org/biology/skin/skin.htm

Answer: Standing out

There's nothing wrong at all with "standing out" and being unique, but there is something to be said for being the supportive person sometimes, too. A great Chinese writer, Lao-Tzu, once wrote that: "Great rivers and seas are lords of all mountain streams, because they are good at staying below them." Sometimes not trying to stand out can be important, too. For more information, see http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/china/philosophy/taoism.htm

Answer: Water

Both stars in the sky and sparkles in the water look like they're moving (or "twinkling") because light bends around just a little bit when it's going through the air (in the case of stars) or reflecting off water. The original light - the stars or the sun - is probably standing still.

It just looks like it's moving because of what scientists call "refraction". For more information, see http://curious.astro.cornell.edu/question.php?number=114.

Answer: Friendly

Friendliness certainly has been a big thing with the Muppets ever since they began. To see a great exhibit on the Muppets from their beginnings to the present day, you can visit the Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta, Georgia (USA), where many of the historical puppets are on display. For information on this great collection, see http://www.puppet.org/.

Answer: Mountain

Green certainly can be important in all these ways! This color has been closely identified with nature for thousands of years. More recently, many "Green Parties" around the world have attempted to bring nature into politics. These organizations have traditionally stressed that preserving nature should be one of the most important things a government can do. Of course, like all political issues, this has become a very complex issue that has caused much disagreement among even the best-intentioned world leaders. For more information, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_politics.

Answer: Be

In these lines, the singer seems to be accepting that, if you are green, you should embrace that and all the good things about it.

One of the best-known prayers in many world faiths reads:

"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference."

Since we all have things we cannot change (even if we are not green), this seems like good advice! For more information, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serenity_prayer

Answer: Beautiful

The great American author, scientist and statesman, Benjamin Franklin, once wrote:

"Beauty, like supreme dominion
Is but supported by opinion"

Therefore, if you think that you, or anyone, or anything else is beautiful, that's just as good a meaning of beauty as any other. And, as a whole country of Irish people will be very willing to tell you, green absolutely is beautiful! ;)

Answer: Kermit the Frog

This song has been done by a number of other singers over the years as well, including an alternate version written for Oscar the Grouch. For a long list of these, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bein_Green.

Kermit the Frog was created by Jim Henson in 1955 for his TV show "Sam and Friends". He was a major star on "Sesame Street" from its premiere in 1969 on. He was also the star of "The Muppet Show", which ran from 1976 to 1981, and numerous movies. He was played by Henson until the great puppeteer passed away in 1990 and relinquished the role to longtime collaborator and student Steve Whitmire. In 2005, Kermit was featured on a series of US postage stamps along with several other Muppets and Henson himself.

Rest in peace, Jim, and thanks.