While setting up a sort of industrial-strength collapsible steel bin in the garage yesterday, I stood on it so I could reach each of the sides at once. My 7-year-old son D- and 4-year-old daughter M- were immediately shocked that this device could EVEN hold up DAD!
I informed them that it could probably hold up an elephant, since it's made of centimeter-thick hardened steel bars crisscrossed in a grid of one-inch squares, supported by large, thick, solid-steel feet. I made the mistake of adding, for effect, that they couldn't break it if they tried.
They immediately took this as a personal challenge, and sought to undermine it the only way they knew how.
D- (conversationally): Well, the Incredible Hulk, if he was here, he could just SMASH it like that. Right?
Me (distracted): Sure, I guess... since he's not real, and they can make up anything they want about him.
D- (strangely triumphant): Yeah, so he could...
M- (looking to contribute): And they made up that he's the strongest guy in the whole world... so HE could break this if he wanted to, but we couldn't.
D- (exultant, but now totally off topic): HE could break ANYthing... he's so awesome. ERRRRRRGGHHH...
M-: Yeah!
This went on for a few more idle minutes. Meanwhile, thoroughly put in my place, I continued to feebly assemble this contraption as their own personal ball- and toy-storage bin. And of course, I then had to lay down for a few hours to regain what meager strength I manage to muster each day.
15 August 2011
A conversation with M- and D-: I see your unbeatable strength, and raise you my imagination
Posted by LiteralDan at 12:55 AM
Labels: Awkward moments, competitiveness, D- conversation, kids, M- conversation, superpowers
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1 comment:
You are so lucky that it didn't collapse when you stood on it.
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