Why is an Owl Wise Anyway?

I guess it all started with those English nursery rhymes, which say owls are wise because they listen and don’t speak.  This owl keeps his eyes closed, the better to listen, so he must be pretty wise indeed.  I often think boys don’t have enough friends in their decor.  There seem to be a lot of planes, trains and automobiles (and things that go!, thank you Richard Scarry).   But well do I remember how much my brother dragged his ranger rick stuffed animal everywhere, so I wanted to come up with a wise pal for those moments when little boys need someone to share in all those adventures!