Friday, July 18, 2008

Not Just Another Number

A Scene from America’s Funniest Videos:

A young boy stands, shirtless, calmly looking into the camera.

MOTHER (from behind the camera): “How old are you now, son?”

SON: “Three,” competently holding up the correct number of fingers.

MOTHER: “And what will you be on your next birthday?”

SON: “A duck,” he replies.

The picture bounces as MOTHER dissolves into helpless laughter.



This scene, of course, is hilarious. But, if you think about it, it’s also really sad. I wonder exactly when a belief in life’s possibilities changes into resignation over life’s inevitabilities?

Next year, I want to be a duck.

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