Registration

Registration

“My head hurts,” said five-year-old Penny.

“Do you think you have a headache?” asked Mom, concerned.

“No,” said Penny, “It just feels stuffed with things. You know... I probably know everything already, my head is so stuffed.”

Getting an inkling of what the issue was, Mom asked, “Do you think it’s too full now?”

“I do! I think I already know everything!”

“I think there might be just a few things you still need to learn...” Mom said, “I don’t think you know everything yet.”

Penny looked at her suspiciously, I don’t think so. Tell me something I don’t already know.”

Mom smiled, then said, “Let me think a minute, it would have to be something pretty tricky for you to not know it already. Maybe something magical! I know you’re very smart.”

Penny smiled.

“How about reading?”

“I read my books all the time!”

“I know, but I’ve read them to you so many times that you know what each page says.”

“So?”

“So, if you picked up a book I haven’t read to you, one that nobody has ever read to you, you wouldn’t know how to read it.”

“How do you read it?”

“I went to kindergarten and learned to read...”

“But I don’t want to go! I’m scared...”

“Remember when you were scared of Mr. Jenkins, then you found out he made the best apple pie, so you decided to talk to him?”

“Yes, he’s really funny! And, I love his pie.”

“That’s what kindergarten is like, scary until you get to know it. Then it’s even more fun than pie!”

“Really?” Penny asked, standing there in one of in her new school outfits.

“I promise.” said Mom.

“Ok, I guess I’ll try it, once...”

Mom smiled again, as they walked in to register for kindergarten.