.
Friday Fictioneers – 4/19/2013 – Genre: Sci-Fi – PG
“History Lesson”
________________________
“What’s a wasp, Mommy?” Gena asked.
The museum’s picture of a nest was before them.
“It was an insect that made those nests in trees and people’s homes.
Gena scrunched her nose and sighed slightly. Kay could see her little brain working feverishly with the information.
“ ‘K, so what’s an insect and a tree?”
Kay walked her daughter to a nearby cushioned seat. This was going to be a long one.
“An insect was a small creature, usually with wings, and a tree was a large plant made of wood.”
The scrunch again.
“Mommy?”
Kay sighed first, this time.
Kindredspirit23's Blog 
Comments
Sounds like they have a lot of background knowledge to fill in. Is this perhaps in the future when none of those things exist?
LikeLike
Yes, I am sorry. That was supposed to become evident. Since it’s not the first time that was asked, I guess I didn’t bring it across enough by using the past tense.
LikeLike
I thought it was clear enough in the writing that it was the future. I just wanted to check to make sure.
LikeLike
Ok! 🙂
LikeLike
I expect they live in a bubble.
LikeLike
Don’t we all? 🙂
LikeLike
To some extent, I suppose so.
LikeLike
Anyone with a child has had many of these learning sessions. It is the circle of life.
LikeLike
Oh yes!
LikeLike
I would hate to have such a conversation… sounds like hell
LikeLike
Probably is, but the child learns!
LikeLike
Let’s hope it never gets to this. Realistic conversation between mother and daughter 🙂
LikeLike
Except for subject, I hear them a lot. Heck, I was involved in a lot of them.
LikeLike
Hi Scott
I remember those times of endless questions and the overuse of Why?
Loved your story, sounded natural.
Dee
LikeLike
loved this story… nice take on the prompt
LikeLike
Thank you!
LikeLike
You captured the childlike curiosity and the patience of a parent who carries on explaining with a sigh.
LikeLike
I lived that, so I understand it.
LikeLike
All those questions! Reminds me of when my kids were little.
I took this as a futuristic story – when there aren’t any trees or insects left. Am I right? If so, it might have been clearer if the mother had spoken in the past tense in all her answers – unless you wanted to leave it ambiguous?
LikeLike
That would be true and yes I should have made them all past tense. I may yet go and change it.
LikeLike
Thank you again. I did go back and change it. You are right; it is better.
LikeLike
You nicely captured a child’s curiosity with lots of questions — and the patience it takes for someone to answer those. I’d hate to live in a world where kids need to ask what insects and trees are!
LikeLike
I agree, but we are slowly getting there with many things!
LikeLike
Natural curiosity at work. You painted the picture well. I could just see little Gena’s nose scrunch.
LikeLike
Dear Scott,
Kay speaks of insects in the past tense. Makes me wonder where this takes place. Being the parent of three I know about these long conversations. EPR…Extra patience required. Cute story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Not so much “where” as “when”.
LikeLike
This is alarmingly possible. I wonder if we could live without wasps, but trees are pretty vital. Well told.
LikeLike
Thanks!
LikeLike
This conversation will run and run, I fear. Nice one.
LikeLike
Thx
LikeLike
Good one – implies dystopia through the everyday interaction between mother and child. Leaves me wondering how they are alive though. Replicating machines? Another planet? 🙂
LikeLike
Hm, hadn’t thought about the “another planet” option. Really not replicating machines either. Both are very interesting choices.
I was being a simple: “in the future where man has destroyed so much”.
LikeLike
It’s cute but disheartening. Where’d the bees go? The trees? It’s a sad story, really. Dystopian even.
LikeLike
Great story! A cautionary tale as well in the best tradition of SciFi. I’m reminded of the lyric from the Karn Evil 9 song by ELP, “Look behind the glass, there’s a real blade of grass. Be careful as you pass, move along, move along.”
LikeLike
Oh, I like that!!!
LikeLike
hehe really cute story! i love having these conversations with my little cousins. takes patience but it’s pretty awesome that they’re so eager to learn about everything ^^
LikeLike
Ha ha very cute story Scott
made me laugh thinking about the sighs i have let out….its a good thing when kids get inquisitive but the series of questions sometimes …oh my
loved the story
love n hugs 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks! 🙂
LikeLike
Hey! Cute, I really enjoyed this story. I’ve done those sighs a few times.
LikeLike
So have I over the years, as a parent and a teacher.
LikeLike
Sounds very natural. (You need “feverishly”, rather than “feverously.” I agree that it’s going to be a long day! 🙂
janet
LikeLike
It looked funny to me, too, spell check gave me that.
LikeLike