By: John Silva – November 28, 2021
Just for grins, see if there is a line or two that tickled you… jksilva1994@gmail.com.
Note: Young children can be a joy, and then again… sometimes, not so much. In any event, here is an account of a young boy whose name is Timmy and his “mommie” who loves him so very, very much. It is my sincere hope you will enjoy the story. Perhaps, it will assist you to recall some of your own childhood experiences, and/or some of your adventures nurturing your own nippers, ankle-biters, scions, and hobbledehoys.
Mommie, why does the wind blow?
Timmy, that is a very grown up question for someone who is just five years old. And, because I love you soooooo much, I will do my best to answer it for you. Do you remember a few months ago when it was warm, and you could play outside and just wear your sneakers, cutoff jeans and a tee shirt.
Yes, Mommie, I do.
Do you also know that in a few months there will be snow on the ground, and you can build a snow castle and make snowmen in our front yard?
Yes, Mommie, it will be fun. I hope Zack will come over and we can build it together.
Well, before that can happen, the wind has to blow and blow so it can push the warm air out of the way so the cold air can come and take its place. And, because there is so much air that has to be blown away, the wind has to blow very, very hard for a long time. And, only when all of the warm summer air is gone can the cold winter air come and visit with us for a while. And, then you and Zack can make lots and lots of snow angels and go sledding.
Mommie, when the wind blows and the cold air pushes the warm air away… where does the warm air go?
Timmy, you are such a smart boy. When the wind blows the warm air away from us, it goes down to South America where they say adios to winter and hola to summer! And, the cold South American air ends up here in North America so we can have snow, frosty air, and icicles.
Mommie, what makes the warm air warm and the cold air cold?
Timmy, you sure have a lot of questions. Let’s see if I can explain it to you. In the summertime, the sun shines straight down and it lands right on the tops of our heads and it warms us up. In the winter, the sunlight shines kinda sideways and it can only heat us up a little bit.
Mommie, why is it colder at night time than it is in the daytime?
Timmy, the sun doesn’t shine at night so it can’t warm us up like it does in the daytime. Now my love, do you have any more questions?
Mommie, why does the sun shine?
Timmy, you are just so full of questions. It’s a miracle you don’t burst. You have such a wonderfully curious mind, and you just tickle me from my nose to my toes. And, you ask the most delightful questions. I am so glad that you are mine. Do you remember last summer when we went for a long ride and we saw the big trees in the forest.
Yes, mommie.
And, do you remember how we pitched our tent and slept in sleeping bags and how much fun it was to gather branches and build a campfire?
Yes, mommie, I remember. We cooked hot dogs and marshmallows on the fire.
That’s right, Timmy. Well, the sun is like a really big campfire, and it shines all day and all night.
Mommie, who keeps putting the branches on the sun’s campfire to keep it from going out?
Timmy, the sun uses a special kind of fuel that burns for a long, long, long time.
Mommie… (Timmy’s head is nodding and his eyes are closing)
Timmy, I see you rubbing your eyes. Are you getting tired?
Oh no, mommie. I’m not tired! But, I do have another question. Mommie, at night when we look up at the sky we can see lots and lots of stars. But, in the daytime there are no stars. Where do they go?
Timmy, the stars are always there. They never leave. But, because their light is very dim compared to the sun’s, we can’t see the stars. Do you know why their light is so dim?
No, mommie.
Timmy, its because the stars are so very far away and their light has to travel so far that the light beams get tired and their batteries run down.
Mommie… are you pulling my leg?
Come here my sweet boy. Come here and sit on mommie’s lap. I want to hold you in my arms and just hug and hug and hug you.
Mommie, why do birds sing?
Timmy, the birds sing because they are happy, and they want to make us happy… so they sing to us, and they like to sing to each other.
Mommie… you are so smart.
Timmy, do you like to hear the birds sing?
Yes, mommie. I really like hearing the birds sing. I especially like to hear the cardinals sing their songs. Mommie… their….. songs..….. are ….…… so ………… pretty…….…….. they…………………
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
My sweet, charming prince, you‘ve had such a busy day. And, now you’ve laid your sleepy head down and are drifting into dreams of enchanted lands, raindrops that can talk, and silly creatures that tell you amazing stories. And, tomorrow is waiting for you and your questions. And, it has prepared amazing things for you. Goodnight my angel. I love you far beyond your comprehension and understanding. I love you with all of my heart.
And, how will this young prince turn out? It’s far too early to tell, but we hope for the best.
Personification – giving human qualities and abilities to inanimate objects