Tuesday 12 March 2013

Fundamental ideological differences

The girls were getting ready for school, and they were excited about Carnaval that day.

They were discussing the possibility of a Bonhomme sighting, when S dropped this bombshell:

"Yeah, but it's just a guy in a suit anyway..."

Her sisters were outraged:

"How could you say that?"

"What do you mean 'a guy in a suit?!?'"

[general sputtering in disbelief]

I stepped in and explained--in a very reasoned and eloquent manner--the concept of different people having different beliefs, and how it is important to let people believe what they want to believe, without forcing your beliefs upon them. [Give me a break, it was 7:45 am.]

Everyone settled down, and I mentally patted myself on the back for defusing the fight AND slipping in a teachable moment.

Until E decided to prove that she had indeed absorbed the lesson:

"Yes, you're right. It's just like me believing that Rudolph doesn't actually exist, he's just a character in a song..."

Her sisters, in unison: "WHAT?!?!"

...And there was no more peace in the valley.

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