By request: The further adventures of Uncle and Nephew . . .
Influencing the young and innocent. Even in families, it's not always a good thing . . .
My Dad is the youngest of eleven children. If anyone asks him if he is related to Owen (his eldest brother) he tells them: Distantly. He's at one end of the family and I'm at the other.
When my Dad was nine, said eldest brother lived close by with his family. A wife and their eldest son, two-year-old Brian. Brian adored his much older uncle. He toddled along after 'Unca Mark' whenever he could. Usually a good thing. Occasionally . . . not. My Dad had the twice-daily chore of milking the cow. Brian loved to go along. Just because. It was a fun, companionable time for the two boys. All was well. One day, Brian's mother sat him in a chair in the kitchen and prepared to give her small son a haircut. She combed the unruly locks into submission. "Ouch!" Brian said. "Sorry, dear, but you have some tangles." "Ouch!" Brian said again. "Mo-om!" "Almost through." "Ouch!" Brian glared at his mom. "If you do that again, I'm going to say 'Sunny Beach'!" His mother stopped combing. "What?" "I'm going to say 'Sunny Beach'." "What?" she asked again. "Suunnny Beeeach," he said slowly and patiently. Light dawned an her mouth popped open in horror."You mean 'Son of a . . .'" She gripped his small shoulder. "Where did you hear that?!" He stared at her, not understanding her panic. She gave his shoulder a little shake. "Where did you hear that?!" "That's what Unca Mark says when the cow kicks him!" Two things resulted from that haircut. 1. Brian actually did get his hair shortened. 2. "Unca Mark' received a bistering lecture on language and its proper uses. Oh! And . . . 3. I just realized that, when it came to cursing and getting after . . . erm . . . someone(see here), my Dad didn't have a leg to stand on.
@Haralee, I knew a toddler who couldn't manage the TR, so his dad taught him something easier. imagine a two-three year old saying eighteen wheeler every time he saw a truck.
It's a bad habit, as hard to quit as smoking. I gave up the smoking part years ago but I still curse upon occasion. It really bothers me to hear young kids, especially girls, using potty mouths. But it all starts out quite innocently. Usually the mouths of adults before the mouths of babes...
Adorable. I have heard a child not able to pronounce TR in truck and it comes out with an F. Out of the mouths of babes!
ReplyDeleteOur eldest son suffered from that particular malady. Remind me to tell you about one particular episode during Sabbath services . . . :0
DeleteThat is so cute! Even when you think they aren't listening they usually are!
ReplyDeleteWhen you want them to - no. When you don't . . .
DeleteOh, I loved this one. My Dad was a farmer and I heard a few words roll out of his mouth at time. Cute story!
ReplyDeleteSee? Dads . . .
DeleteHee Hee, Sunny Beach. I like that
ReplyDeleteIt sounds so much more polite.
And warmer . . .
Delete@Haralee, I knew a toddler who couldn't manage the TR, so his dad taught him something easier. imagine a two-three year old saying eighteen wheeler every time he saw a truck.
ReplyDeleteOoh! I like that! Must teach my grandkids . . .
Deletemy brothers were gifted at swearing, and my son has inherited that skill, but he is more creative.
ReplyDeleteIt definitely is a skill! :)
DeleteIt's a bad habit, as hard to quit as smoking. I gave up the smoking part years ago but I still curse upon occasion. It really bothers me to hear young kids, especially girls, using potty mouths. But it all starts out quite innocently. Usually the mouths of adults before the mouths of babes...
ReplyDeleteYep. Even now, forty years later, when something frustrating happens, those are the first words that pop into my head! :(
DeleteOhhhh ... little pitchers sure do have big ears ... they are just like sponges, for good and for bad! Thanks for the story! More? (she said hopefully)
ReplyDeleteLittle monkeys.
DeleteI'll get back to you!