Homes of Victory
Lalee at 6 years old…
I was taking Lalee for a girls shopping morning, so before we went I wrote a quick list. Thinking I had forgotten something I gave her the list and asked if she could think of anything else to add. She took her time to read the list carefully. Looking up she said ” You forgot your punctuation”.
“ Mum… my friend Lucy is a thorny devil.”
“A what?”
“ A thorny devil”
“ Really”
“ Yes, her Grammy told her that she was, and if she wasn’t careful she would be thrown into the fire”
“ Well that’s not very nice..” doubting the conversation was relayed correctly.
“ No it’s not.”
Two weeks later… I’m serious she thinks about things in depth…
“ Mum where do Thorny Devils live?”
“ I don’t know sweetheart.”
“ I think they are naughty people… where do naughty people live?”
“ Naughty people can live anywhere..”
“ Oh, I’m glad there are none in Brisbane.” She sounded so relieved… as she simply decided how life is.
“ I hope you don’t call any one a Thorny Devil… it’s not a nice thing to say.”
“ Oh no I don’t, but Lucy does.”
“ Well make sure you always use kind words.”
“ Okay Mum”
A week later and it finally clicked in my mind that a thorny devil is a lizard, gee I need to scrub up on my animal species. It all makes perfect sense… now. Upon sharing my new found knowledge with Lalee, the response was:
“ What! Do naughty people get turned into lizards… Oh my goodness.”
Sigh…. This is going to be a long conversation.
Lalee:“ Mum why do houses stay in the one place ALL day?”
Try answering that questions when your 3 year old asks you in all seriousness… I decided to take the, because they have deep foundations in the ground and don’t have legs route…
Lalee: “ Well that’s boring”…
I love it how Dads play with their kids. It is so different to how Mums play… the only thing is they get sucked in before they realise – cue the bad guy laughter…
Act1: Playing cafes in the lounge room with Dad
Dad(D): Hi can I buy some coffee?
Lalee(L): That will be one hundred million dollars
D: Do you think that’s a bit much for coffee?
L: Guess you won’t be buying coffee then.
Lalee gracefully walked off and started to play another game. Her poor Dad was left a little confused. Later he confessed, he nearly asked if that that is how you play shops… but thought better of it. He wanted to enjoy his real ‘ far cheaper’ coffee in peace.
Act 2: Another day of playing cafe’s…
L“ Dad… would you like to order a coffee?”
D“ Sure, one coffee please”
L“ That will be one million dollars.”
D“ Really?”
L“ Yes.” Was the adamant response.
D“ That’s expensive coffee, could I get a discount?”
L“ No”
D“ Oh that’s a shame…”
L“ Oh! well no coffee then…”
So much for compassion, generosity and kindness….
Homes of Victory