Two brags - one sweet, and one funny
1 - DS7 preparing his lunch today
He had a leftover half of a hamburger from a treat dinner out last evening. When asked if he wanted to take it to school for lunch, he replied, "Well, the restaurant makes its fries in peanut oil, and [Friend] has a severe nut allergy. There's enough risk of contamination that I shouldn't."
We compromised by him having it for breakfast at home (among other things) and washing his hands thoroughly.
Was so happy to see that level of sensitivity to his friend - and grateful that he shared the info about the peanut oil!
2 - Book report choices
DS' class is presenting its book reports in an expo format. The teacher met with each student to consult on book selection. DS proposed "39 Steps", an espionage thriller he'd read at home. The teacher nixed the choice on the basis that it's too violent because it has two murders in it, albeit fairly indirectly narrated.
As an alternative, DS proposes Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, also read at home. Teacher agrees to it. DS' comment, "But it has violent murder and a suicide. It's much more disturbing. Have you even read these books?"
He then--as he related it to me--lists the old Grimm plots to his teacher to demonstrate that stories classified as "children's literature" are often as sinister, if not more so, than the books he's proposed.
- Hansel and Gretel: Two nice children are in the woods, and lured and eaten by an evil witch in her candy house.
- Little Red Riding Hood: Little girl does a favour for her granny. Walks through the woods and is killed by a wolf who pretends to be granny.
- Jack and the Beanstalk: Little boy finds magic beans and grows them into a beanstalk. He finds a giant who chases him and tries to eat him.
DS - "HOW are these less disturbing than actual novels?!"
I would have loved to see the teacher's expression then!
