Like any good mother, I told my son he would have to work and scrimp and save all his money until he had enough for his long-tailed lizard. He was totally willing although he did keep asking me if there was anything I wanted him to do for ten dollars. I referred him to the usual chore chart and with a minimum of grumbling he earned quarters here and there. He washed dishes, vacuumed, cleaned counters--it was fabulous. It was working out perfectly. First, I was getting lots of work done, or he was getting it done, rather. Second, I figured his desire for a long-tailed lizard wouldn't hold out clear till whenever he earned seventy dollars.
Then his dad offered to pay for half the lizard and supplies, saying my son would only have to earn forty dollars. I was a bit miffed, but still, I thought, that will take a good three months.
Then Grandma sent my son a birthday check for thirty dollars.
The long-tailed lizard is in my son's room this very minute. At least it better be--I haven't seen it the last couple days. Plus, there are freeze-dried worms in my fridge with a can of crickets preserved "in their own juices." Those, I always see whenever I open the fridge.
My son and his father put the baby turtle out on the dresser to freeze saying it would die anyway. Whatever. Like I'm going to allow a slow turtle death! Honestly, if you don't teach your children how to care for slow boring things in their youth, what are they going to do with you when you turn eighty? The turtle is now in with the invisible lizard staying warm and wet.
All I know about the lizard, besides what he eats, is that he owes me a lot of housework.
Maybe that's why he's hiding from me.
Then his dad offered to pay for half the lizard and supplies, saying my son would only have to earn forty dollars. I was a bit miffed, but still, I thought, that will take a good three months.
Then Grandma sent my son a birthday check for thirty dollars.
The long-tailed lizard is in my son's room this very minute. At least it better be--I haven't seen it the last couple days. Plus, there are freeze-dried worms in my fridge with a can of crickets preserved "in their own juices." Those, I always see whenever I open the fridge.
My son and his father put the baby turtle out on the dresser to freeze saying it would die anyway. Whatever. Like I'm going to allow a slow turtle death! Honestly, if you don't teach your children how to care for slow boring things in their youth, what are they going to do with you when you turn eighty? The turtle is now in with the invisible lizard staying warm and wet.
All I know about the lizard, besides what he eats, is that he owes me a lot of housework.
Maybe that's why he's hiding from me.
Comments