Plans

Flash Fiction

Plans

“What’s the plan?”

“Is it something that grows?” four-year-old Tim asked.

“No. Plants grow, ‘plans’ means thoughts in your head about what you want to do.

“Oh… like going to the moon?”

“Yes and no. I know you want to go to the moon. I meant what you wanted to do today.”

“Today? Won’t I go to Marylils?”

“No, you go there when Mommy and I go to work. Today is Saturday. I thought maybe we could play with you.”

“What are we going to play?”

“That’s what I was asking you.”

“No. You asked me about a plan, not playing.”

“Well, a ‘plan’ is when you decide what you want to do, and then start getting ready to do it.”

“Like what”.

“Like remember when we went to the Critter Park?”

“Yes!!!”

“Well, Mom and I talked about it first. If we were going to be free that day, if the weather was going to be good, if we could have lunch there. There was a lot of thinking before we decided to go.”

“Wow. All I did was put on my sweater and get in the car!”

“Yes, that’s exactly what a person your age should to do. Were you excited? Yes! Did you need something to keep you warm? Yes! We’re you happy to do this? Yes!!!”

Your Mom and I came up with the idea, and then when we decided it was a good idea, we did the things we needed to do to go. It was fun.”

“Yes! Can we go to the Critter Park again?

“Ah… Good plan! Let’s go ask Mom!”

It was a very good plan, for Tim and Dad… (Mom too! Because Mom chose to stay home this time, and do the laundry. Mom didn’t like animal parks all that much.)