How it Happened

How it Happened

“Where do kangaroos live?” asked seven-year-old Kevin.

“I think they only live in Australia. Maybe some other places…but I think mostly Australia.”

“Is that in Massachusetts?” Kevin asked.

“No. Australia is on the other side of the world.”

“Really? The whole world? How do you know that?”

“I learned it in school… I read it in a book. We all read about it in our geography book. You’ll probably learn all about it in the next couple years.”

“What’s a giggriffy book?”

“A book about geography…”

“What’s gegriffie…”

“Ge-oogg-graphy, it is a class where you learn about all the places in the world.”

“I thought we lived ON the world. Do other people live IN it?”

“No, no. It’s just the way we talk about things here on earth.”

“Oh… so this place where kangaroos live… is it close?”

“Well, Australia is a bit far, but I do know a place near here that has a couple kangaroos living in it.”

“Really? Can anybody go see them?”

“Well, it’s a ways away, but yes. It’s a Zoo in Boston. Maybe we could make plans with your Mom.”

“Really?”

“Sure! Why are you asking about kangaroos anyway?”

“I just heard about them and I thought maybe we could get one. Mom says we can’t have a dog because Lilly is allergic.”

“I see… well unfortunately for you, Kangaroos also have fur…”

“Oh,” Kevin said sadly, then perked up. “Well, can we go see them anyway? They sound cool.”

“Yes, maybe we can go see them, if your mom says OK.”

The trip went well, Gramps and Kevin had a great time seeing kangaroos and everything else. Mom, however, regretted agreeing to that trip for many, many years.
Gramps and Kevin visited the Snake House, and snakes don’t have fur…