What We Really Learned from “Sesame Street”

It’s no secret that Sesame Street delivers more than just witty monster banter and great ideas for Halloween costumes that will inevitably take a turn for the worst (Sexy Elmo? Really?). The characters and scenarios on the show have always been meant as teaching tools, often intended to help kids deal with difficult issues. It’s in that tradition that Lily, a new Muppet from a low-income family who sometimes gets meals from a food pantry, made her debut on The Street earlier this month. Her arrival prompted us to reflect on the valuable and nuanced life lessons we learned from our most beloved furry friends. Click through and let the teaching begin. Related stories: Fifteen Randomly Sexy Halloween Costumes The Dark Origins of Beloved Childhood Icons Muppet Mania! OPI’s Holiday 2011 Collection