Sunday, October 25, 2009

Out of the Mouths of Babes

On Bill Cosby's "Himself" he remarks how many people who don't have children and say that they love children because "they are so truthful. They tell the truth and are so genuine." This is partially true, but every child instinctively adjusts to certain times when it seems better for him to tell the truth. No matter whether the kid is a well meaning liar or an honest angel, children have a way of telling truth at the most inopportune moments.

One friend of ours had a very mischievous 3 year old, and realized that she was not in the back playing with the other children. She walked into the house calling "Mackenzie, where are you?" The reply came back: "Not in the kitchen!" "What are you doing in the kitchen?" "Not eating cookies!" came the child's response, and upon walking into the kitchen she espied the imp sitting on the counter surrounded by crumbs and with both hands in the cookie jar, her cherubic face streamed with chocolate.

As we were leaving church one day, a lady arriving for the next Mass passed us on the way in. She was a little Filipino lady, back bowed with age, hair dyed bright orange, and colorful scarves wrapped around her. My little sister grabbed my hand, her eyes wide and face all smiles, and quite loudly said, "Doesn't that lady look like an Oompa Loompa?" I dissolved in embarrassment.

As the years have gone by, even though I'm still quite young, I've developed a bit of paunch. One morning I was lamenting the roundness of my person as I was getting dressed, and bewailing my chubby state when my little sister decided to inform me that I was dead wrong. "You are not fat," said the young one, "and even if you are, you shouldn't worry. Lots of fat girls get married." What could I say? "Thank you dear...that's so...reassuring."

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