The “Village Idiot” is someone we
make fun of, but what if he turns out to be the wisest among us?
This misidentification is the basis of these tales, and goes all
the way back to stories of the court jester, Don Quixote, and many
overlooked, but specially empowered figures in the Bible. Secret
identity plays a big part in these stories — often the Fool
dons a “costume,” and many have a “name
change” as part of their disguise. These are also considered “fish out of
water” tales. By being thrown into a new world, the foolish
hero brings with him the skills, talents, and values of a world
that misunderstood him all along.
Underestimated, but secretly the sharpest of us
all, that is the essence of the “FT” tale. And that is
the magic of these stories. Deep down we all know we deserve better
treatment. These tales show why all of us are to be considered, and
no one should be overlooked.
Don't overlook these three
elements:
1. A “fool” whose innocence is his
strength and whose gentle manner makes him likely to be ignored
— by all but a jealous “Insider” who knows too
well.
2. An “establishment,” the people or
group a fool comes up against, either within his midst, or after
being sent to a new place in which he does not fit — at
first. Either way, the mismatch promises
fireworks!
3. A “transmutation” in which the
fool becomes someone or something new, often including a
“name change” that’s taken on either by accident
or as a disguise.
Examples: Fantastic Mr. Fox, The 40-Year-Old Virgin,
Legally Blonde, Forrest Gump, Tootsie, Being
There
