What not to say to a Six-Year-Old

Ok. So two of the many nephews were visiting today. Both their parents had to work. We like having them over; they like playing pirates, cowboys, indians. You get the picture. And six-year-olds are full of questions, which require answers that make sense to the six-year-old.

Niko, the six-year-old, asks me "How much would you sell me Rufus for?". I hear, "How old is Rufus?" and quickly answer, "Two".

"Cool", replies Niko, "I have two dollars at home. Can we take him tonight when we go home?"

I spend the rest of the day explaining that Rufus has to stay here, even if he does pay me $2 for him. His landlord, his neighbors, the county will not allow him to have a horse, even if his parents would...All explanations fall on six-year-old ears that do not hear.

His parents arrive, and he immediately runs them to the pasture to see his new horse. And, they, to no avail, attempt to explain that the only animal they can afford to feed is their Boston Terrier, Eva. Niko promises to buy the hay for Rufus. Then, my very tired pirate loving nephew begins to cry that cry that says, "I finally hear you, but now I don't care. I am tired."

Moral of this story: Always know the question you are being asked by a six-year-old; otherwise you may have given away the farm for a song.