Last weekend they had a story about a child who at age 6 wrote 100 "I believe" statements for school. You know, how on the 100th day of school they frequently ask children to bring in 100 of something. This child brought in 100 things he had written. My wife and I listened to the story and were moved not so much because of why the child wrote (although they were sweet), but because it just reminded us that there are very gifted children all around us.

Then today we happened to catch the segment of letters written into Weekend Edition.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=99851336

This really made us mad. Beyond mad. Frankly po'ed. It doesn't surprise me that this attitude exists (bad enough). But I was displeased that NPR read the last letter without giving it any balance whatsoever. I suppose if the child was able to play the piano on demand, play golf or another sport, etc., that it'd be okay. Heaven forbid a child who is academically precocious. Must be the parents doing.

Original story:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=99478226

JB

Thanks for sharing the original story. His sentiments were beautiful...out of the mouths of babes!

It's too bad some people don't believe there are children who have these profound thoughts and feel these things so deeply. We can count ourselves lucky to know children like this. Unfortunately the negative responses make it less likely that other parents will share their children's sensitive sides.