(I’m shopping with my two sons, ages five and seven, in early December.)
Cashier: *to my sons* “Are you kids excited for Christmas?”
Seven-Year-Old: “We’re not Christian. We’re Jewish. We get Hannukah!”
Five-Year-Old: “Meow!”
Cashier: “Well, it’s all the same to me. I think all religions are equally stupid.”
(This guy’s always been kind of rude, so I don’t bother replying to him. My five-year-old continues meowing quietly, my seven-year-old helps bag our groceries, and I dig around for my credit card to pay.)
Cashier: *to Five-Year-Old* “Do you want to hold onto your juice or put it in the bag?”
(He gets another meow in reply.)
Cashier: *in a nasty tone, to Five-Year-Old* “That meowing is really annoying and rude. You need to knock it off.”
(I am so angry. For a moment I am speechless. But then…)
Seven-Year-Old: *in a calm, patient voice* “My brother’s autistic, and he doesn’t talk yet, but he loves animals. When he meows, he’s trying his best to be friendly, so you should try to be encouraging. And your mom should have taught you not to pick on people who are little, anyway.”
Five-Year-Old: “Meow!”
Cashier: “…”
(I was so proud of my boys that day!)
Children are so wise—and they often behave much better than us adults. Share if you agree!
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