Sunday, September 25, 2005

[1897 - William Faulkner, novelist, born in New Albany, Mississippi]

[1906 - Dimitri Shostakovich, composer, born in St. Petersburg, Russia]

[1932 - Glenn (Herbert) Gould, pianist, born in Toronto, Ontario]

[1981 - Sandra Day O'Connor, first woman on the U.S. Supreme Court, sworn in]

Grandpa Moment # 4 - No Limits

Grandpa is reading a bedtime story to grandson (age 3.1). He notices that the child can already recognize individual words in his train book, so he asks:

Can you read?

No, Grandpa; I can read when I am four.

Don't you think that you could read when you are three?

No, Grandpa, you have to be four.

{Grandpa sees an opportunity to conduct a Socratic dialogue with grandson.}

Do you think you could read in one month?

No, Grandpa.

How about two months? Could you read then?

No Grandpa, I think it would take longer.

How about four months, could you read after that long a time?

Yes, Grandpa. I think I could.

But, Zach, in four months you will still be three.

Oh!

{A well-intentioned adult (probably a teacher) thought she was encouraging young Zach by telling him he would be able to read when he was four (before he went to kindergarten). Instead, she had erected a barrier.}

William's Whimsical Words:

Take care what you say to children.

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