(no subject)

When we were in Texas at the debate and speech tournament, I had opportunity to work with the youngest brothers of a couple of my friends from the high school era (which was really my law school era, which makes things so confusing).

Both of these brothers were seven years old (and three quarters), and I found our time together to be fruitful, because both boys were hard-working and charming young gentlemen, but also enlightening and entertaining, because both boys reminded me in different ways of their brothers, whom I did not have the privilege to know at the tender age of seven years old (and three quarters).

I learned a few things:

(1) Boys seven years old (and three quarters) are enchanted by FACTS. Girls at a similar age, I think, tend much more toward imagination, dreamcastles, and what-ifs. A standard sentence opener for a boy seven years old (and three quarters) is "Did you KNOW . . .?"

(2) Boys seven years old (and three quarters) want to be told, "WOW. I didn't know," or "WOW. You can do that?!"

(3) Boys seven years old (and three quarters) are motivated by FOOD.

(4) Boys seven years old (and three quarters) are motivated by responsibility and trust.

(5) Boys seven years old (and three quarters) like to come to the rescue.

(6) Boys seven years old (and three quarters) don't forget that they came to the rescue (learning no. 2 applies here).

(7) Boys seven years old (and three quarters) memorize FAST and repeat OFTEN.

Anyhow, they were all interesting lessons to learn.

And I think I understand better now why women who never knew their husbands at seven years old (and three quarters) might so appreciate having sons -- and why grandmothers (who did know the original at seven years old [and three quarters]) are so tickled by the reprise.