Class Assignment: the Tale

It was a quiet bedtime ritual he had come to look forward to as much as his children: reading a book out loud. Tonight was no different; little Rose and Freddie sat rapt on cushions before him on the floor as they followed Almanzo Wilder of Farmer Boy out to his father's barn and to the forbidden pen where the young colts were kept, then crouched in fear beside him after he lifted the latch and they flooded out the gate, threatening to trample him. His voice galloping along with the 'thundering hooves' of the colts, he had to check himself as he was interrupted by a small voice: “Um, Daddy?” “Yes, honey.” “Thundering hooves?” “Well sweetie, that's the kind of sound their feet made on the ground while they were running.” “Ohhh, thunder--no lightning.” Wow, did this three-year-old just say what he thought she said? He was feeling pretty impressed with himself and the child he had produced, that she had made that kind of connection. What a kid. Having finished his explanation, he settled back into his chair with a smug smile and prepared to continue the story. “Dad?” It was five-year-old Freddie this time—but now he was prepared. Placing the book on his knee, he looked affectionately down at the little boy and asked, “What's up, son?” With a beaming grin on his face, Freddie declared to his expectant father: “I like cake.”