An Aesop: Being a kid and being a grown-up each have their respective ups and downs. The trick is to enjoy being a kid, and appreciate all you've learned as a grown-up. Alternatively, you're never "too old" to enjoy life to the fullest.
Both Sides Have a Point: Played with. Both Baba and Sheegwa's arc comes to a conclusion where each is content with their respective age. Baba has made peace that although he's not as young as he used to be, he's gathered much experience at his age. Sheegwa may be "too little", but she is content she can still do fun stuff at her age, like take piggy-back rides from her father.
Damned by Faint Praise: When Baba Miao is troubled by whether or not he's too old, Mama Miao tries to comfort him by remarking that his fur is "almost as shiny as when [she] first met [him]". Baba is a bit stung that the word "almost" is in that sentence.
Does This Remind You of Anything?: Baba Miao is worried that he's growing too old to enjoy life anymore. His spontaneous decision to dye his fur a lighter color (with Tai-Tai's make-up) and put off his duties to hang out with his children can be sized up as a form of mid-life crisis.
Generation Xerox: The Foolish Magistrate's distant ancestor (the one who adopted the Miao family's ancestor) bears a striking resemblance to the Foolish Magistrate himself, right down to his portly figure.
