What second graders really want to know

My daughter, Emily, is in second grade and was asked to bring her pet lizard to her class to share. Fluffy is a gecko lizard and, a little off the point here, is a really great first pet for a kid.

I brought Fuffy in early one morning and stood in the back of the class as Em gave a short description of our life with Fluffy and then opened up the floor to questions.

Em: This is my lizard, Fluffy. He’s a gecko lizard and we’ve had him for 2 years. We got him from my dad’s friend. Does anyone have any questions?

First Kid: What is your dad’s friend’s name?

Em: I don’t know.

Second Kid: Where does your dad’s friend live?

Em: I don’t know.

Third Kid: Does your dad work with his friend?

Em: I don’t know.

The questions went on like this for a while then the teacher stepped in to try to steer the line of questioning back to something (anything) more educational.

Teacher: What does Fluffy eat, Emily?

Em: Mealworms.

(Whew, okay now we’re getting somewhere.)

Em: Any more questions?

Fourth Kid: How long did your dad know his friend before he gave him a lizard?

Not only did they never ask one question that was even remotely academic, but they also failed to ask the most obvious question: Why did you name your lizard Fluffy. I had to step outside to laugh.

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