Wednesday, January 05, 2011

Snips and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails


What are little boys made of?
Snips and snails, and puppy dogs tails
That's what little boys are made of!"


There are times that I think if someone could harness the energy of a five-year old, our dependency on oil or coal or corn or sun or wind would no longer be necessary. Not only that, anyone exposed to five-year old energy would no longer need anti-depressants, therapy, chocolate or Dr. Phil.  And, if you found yourself in the presence of an energetic, happy five-year old, you would no longer be obligated to participate in shallow, polite conversation or deep, divisive debate.  The five-year old will run the conversation, happily bouncing from story to story, complete with demonstrations and uproarious laughter that usually demands the story start all over again... and again... and again. 



And then there is the faithful friend.  You can count on him to nudge you for a scritch-scratch behind the ears, a chin on your knee when he's sure you have something tasty to share, or a toy at your feet when it's time to play.  Whether sitting quietly by your side or curled up nearby in a bed, he is a calming presence.  Someone you can rely on.  A protector and a friend.

The poem said that little boys are made of "snips and snails and puppy dog tails."  I don't know how much of that is true (especially considering that, according to the poem, little girls are made of "sugar and spice and everything nice") but the boy and his dog are certainly two sides of the same coin.  Full of life, full of love, full of adventures.  A joy, a handful, a friend.

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