Don’t Drink the Water
Boys will be boys. How many times have I heard or used that phrase in my lifetime? Exponentially more so as a parent. Little boys like mud, bugs, animals, teasing little girls, sports, tackling things, kicking things—the list goes on. Just yesterday Zoë ran into the house to let me know about the mouse in the yard. They had tried in vain to get Ariel, the cat, interested in chasing the thing but she wouldn’t. The mouse was just sitting there.
I came outside just in time to stop Zane’s outstretched arm from picking up the–not mouse but–huge rat that somehow found it’s way into the yard and had decided to park itself under the bird feeder as it was providing a ready source of food.
Dear Lord, Zane! Don’t grab that! That thing will gnaw your arm off!
It was huge! Half the size of Ariel. No wonder she wasn’t interested. She was scared to death!
Suffice it to say that Mr. Rat has supped for the last time at our bird feeder. Zoë was repulsed at the rat’s demise. Zane thought it was cool. Boys will be boys.
And just today…..
Zander, whatever you do…..don’t drink out of this cup. (Zane to his little brother.) I just peed in it.
What?? I yelled from the other room.
Zane enters the living room holding the aforementioned cup in his hand, clearly the vision of a boy who has done wrong and knows it–only for he has been caught.
Zane!
Yes.
You peed in a cup?
Yes.
You peed in a cup you picked up off of the floor in the basement?
Yes.
You peed in a cup you picked up off of the floor in the basement that was lying 3 feet in front of the toilet?
Yes.
If I ask you why, will you be able to give me an answer?
I don’t think so.
Well, at least he warned his brother. It could have been worse. Much worse.
I think you know what I’m talking about.
