“Do fish have mothers and fathers?”
“Yes. All animals have both mothers and fathers.”
“Dogs?”
“Yes.”
“Elephants?”
“Yes.”
“Frogs?”
“Yes.”
“Caterpillars?”
“Yes, but a caterpillar is a stage in the life of a butterfly.”
“Butterflies aren’t born from other butterflies?”
“Not exactly. The mother lays eggs and a little tiny caterpillar hatches out.”
“Oh, yeah! The Very Hungry Caterpillar! You used to read that book to me!”
“Right! Remember the caterpillar eats and eats and eats, then makes a chrysallis. Then a butterfly hatches out of the chrysallis.”
“How does that happen?”
“Magic.”
“Where’s the dad?”
“What do you mean?”
“The mother lays eggs, but where’s the dad?”
“Hmmm…. well…. I think the mother butterfly and the father butterfly meet each other before the eggs are laid.”
“Like a date?”
“Kind of.”
“Does he get to meet them after they become butterflies?”
“Caterpillars and butterflies don’t meet their parents.”
“That’s sad.”
“Yes, life is sometimes sad.”
“How about fish? Do fish get to meet their fathers?” [pointing to a sign on a food truck that say “The Codfather.”]
“I don’t know.”
“Do fish have a caterpillar stage?”
“Fish hatch out of eggs.”
“As fish?”
“As larva. I suppose kind of like swimming caterpillars.”
“What about the mother and father. Do they visit each other first?”
“It’s called spawning. The mother lays a bunch of eggs that the dad visits.”
“That’s weird. Does the mother fish ever meet the dad?”
“You’re wearing me out.”
“What about people? How does that work?”
This is my response to this week’s Unicorn Challenge. The Unicorn Challenge is simple — no more than 250 words based on the photo prompt.
Here you get to eavesdrop on another mother-son conversation.
Hot Dogs and Marmalade 
Do you remember, as a kid, a specifically-Summer game, usually played early evenings at whichever friend had the best lawn? I believe we called it snap-the-whip or something like that.
One would grab and hold another’s hand and a chain (of kids) would be formed. The lead kid (usually the one who suggested it) would start to run across the lawn. The goal was to maintain the chain. Of course, the lead kid would make as many sudden changes of directions as possible.
Your story this week struck me as this kind of fun.
I know that game well — and I’ll take it as a HUGE compliment that this story was that sort of fun!! Thank you!
I have this vision of the mother ferevently wishing the son into the sullen, silent teenage years.
Or maybe not!
Excellent conversation, with the relentless pace of the boy’s questions clear.
No wonder the mother’s exhausted.
I wonder if you’ve been a participant in such an exchange?
A fun story.
“I wonder if you’ve been a participant in such an exchange?” Yes, yes, yes. I had a large family — all grown now.
Haha. She’s avoided crunch time – the big question that follows the easy ones about all the animals. Great dialogue. I can hear the voices, and I can feel the mother’s patience wearing out. She’s doing a fantastic job. Lovely story.
Haha! Sally you captured the pace and perversity of the conversation… My sons always prefaced it with “Mom, can I ask you a question?” To this day I know it is a serious conversation when it starts with “can I ask you a question?” (even at 35 & 36 yrs old) ❤
Oh, this sounds like one of those car conversations that you are SO glad to reach your destination to distract them! Wonderful write, Sally! 💞💞💞
From fish and butterflies to the birds and the bees in no time at all. I feel for the mother as she desperately tries to talk her way out of the inevitable.
Love this, Sally, a conversation we’ve all had at some time or another!
For next time: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJR2YP7bSZo
(Every parent groaning in sympathy) This parent handled the barrage well & lasted longer than I would have. That’s how you help kids turn into smart adults, though! I loved this playful piece!
Lots of questions.