Get the feedHenry Higgins, but with animals!
Tuesday, May 05th 2009
Tonight, we watched Dr. Doolittle — none of us had never seen it -- and my ten year old daughter was thrilled the first time the Doctor spoke to the pig and the pig said “good morning" back. She clapped her hands and did “happy fists.”
What lyrics! Rex Harrison made a rhyme with "pelican?" ("When you say 'He can speak crab and pelican', they'll say 'Like hell he can!'") Cue ruffled feathers from the parrot, and questions from the kids. (What's a "hellican?")
About half an hour after we stopped watching the movie — had to pause it because of bed time — Camille came up to me really seriously and told me she thought talking to animals would be amazing. “I don’t think that can really happen.” Then she paused. "Can it?"
It was one of those innocent moments, fleeting, that'll become less frequent with every month. It made me realize that every day, as parents, we're actually teaching our children life's potential, defining the very parameters of life for them. I think I could've convinced Camille that people can talk walrus and curse in kangaroo. But it applies to all areas of life -- we're shaping their ideas about service, charity, and volunteering, by our action, or -- sadly -- by our inaction.
We have this small, fleeting moment. Let's don't miss it.
Nancy French
Nancy French is an author, commentator, and mother. Her next book, about the year her husband spent in Iraq is due out July 4, 2011. Connect with her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NancyAndersonFrench and follow her on Twitter at https://twitter.com/nancyafrench.
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