Six Word Saturday - It's Complicated!

Six Word Saturday:

"Why do I always over-complicate everything?"

A while back, I was in the position of administering a placement test to a potential Kumon student. This little boy was only 3-years old, quiet, and shy. I decided to break the ice (and test the waters) by having him draw a picture for me before testing. I offered crayons, but the child chose a pencil. OK. He then proceeded to draw a picture very similar to the one above.

'

I looked at the picture and told him how wonderful it was.

'

The child had no response.

'

"Why doesn't the man have arms?" I asked.

'

"I didn't want to give him any", the child replied in a whisper.

'

"That's OK", I said. "But he doesn't have a mouth. Is he happy or sad?" (That would be Miss Anne searching for information...)

'

The little boy was silent for many l-o-n-g seconds before responding "Sad", he said.

'

So I'm thinking "Rats. This is going to be a VERY challenging testing session!" (OK, in all honesty, I was not thinking 'rats'. I was thinking words innapropriate for a Kumon Instructor!)

'

I pulled myself together and gently asked the boy "Why is the man sad?"

'

Again, a VERY long silence. I was losing hope.

'

Suddenly, the boy looks up at me like I'm the biggest dummy in the world and replies in a strong voice "BECAUSE HE HAS NO ARMS!"

'

I laughed and we went on with testing.

'

Later, I thought about why I put so much emphasis on the details, rather than the big picture. I guess I do that with everything. I suppose I've always been that way.

'

I have the picture hanging up in my center to remind me NOT to overcomplicate things. It helps, but I'm still not "cured".

'

By the way... Tjhe boy's family enrolled him in both math and reading :-)

'

To participate in Six Word Saturday, please visit Cate (and my other SWS friends) at Show My Face.

'

Hugs and blessings~

~~~Anne