The Phantom Tollbooth Lesson Plan

In chapter 17, Milo asks the Terrible Trivium why he only wants to do unimportant things. He answers:

"Think of all the trouble it saves...If you only do the easy and useless jobs, you'll never have to worry about the important ones which are so difficult. You just won't have the time. For there's always something to do to keep you from what you really should be doing."

Do you think this observation is true? Give examples from your own experience, current events, history, or literature.

If students believe that the assertion is true, they will likely cite the fact that sometimes people do easier things to distract them from the more difficult things they need to do....