would you believe...

...you can speak only to your grandson, quasi offend a mother and make a child cry all at the same time?  Yesiree, it can be done!

So, I took Bean and Diz to the zoo today to look at the African animals as part of the unit on Africa.  It was a glorious day weather wise, we were looking at the hippopotamuses which are adjacent to the old black rhino(s).  Let me start by saying I am a zoo member, and as a zoo member we get their quarterly newspaper as well as online updates.  I recalled reading an update about THE black rhino passing.  I remember thinking how sad, I did NOT remember that there were TWO rhinos at the zoo.

Diz was asking about the rhino at the zoo while looking at the hippos. I replied that there was no point walking that way as the rhino died.  Diz took the news with curiosity while this other 4 year old boy looked at me in horror and said "The rhino died!"  I said "Um yes," and uttered "sorry" to both the mother and the child for blurting what I assumed was a commonly known fact.  The boys eyes well up with tears as he looks to his mother for an explanation.  She comforts the boy by saying "It's alright he is in heaven with Jesus."  the boy then looks to me inquiring as to why the rhino died.  I didn't want to lie to the kid, and I didn't remember if it was just old, or sick, so I told him the truth.  THEN he asks again, but why is he in heaven?

I looked up at the mother and said "Let me guess, Christian?"  She indignantly crosses her arms and relied "yes!"  Now, I was trying to be culturally aware!  I now I can hear the roars of laughter from those of you reading this, but I do try...once in a while.  So I said "Maybe God thought it was tired of being on this earth and called him home."  I then tried to dismiss it.  Not a chance! HE asked WHY would god want him in heaven?  I replied, "Has Mommy ever taken you home to rest when you were too tired and needed a nap?"  He of course replied affirmatively.  I said "Maybe it was like that, the rhino just got too tired of being here on earth.  Maybe if we are lucky there will be a baby rhino to live in his 'habitat'."  Kid says "But then they will have to take him from his home and Mommy and Daddy."  Myself, I am thinking, do you think that didn't already happen!?!  I said "Sometimes zoos have baby animals but don't have the space for them and they share them with lucky zoos like us."  This seemed to satisfy the kid.  He walked off with his mother, head hanging.  I apologized again, and she said "It's okay, he is really sensitive and loves his animals." Diz by contrast is more inquisitive and scientific in nature.  He wanted to see the dead rhino!  I said that they probably put the dead rhino in the ground so he couldn't see it.  This was not going to satisfy him, he had to see the empty cage..  And now..the rest of the story...

We talked about dying animals on the way to the cage, how they get old, their bodies inefficient and no longer work, we round the corner to see the one rhino that is left lazily resting beneath the shade. Bean and I looked at each other in utter disbelief and felt sorry for the poor disheartened kid, who, thanks to me, can't believe everything adults say and will probably freak next time he has to take a nap  Ahhhh all in a days work:-)