About This Story
Everyone talks with other people. We talk about all kinds of things. Some things that are important and some things just to be "making conversation". Some kinds of things we talk about with friends or family, but we don't usually share those things with others.
In this story, two special youngsters in Grandfather's world wonder about getting older. They are curious, and want to know how and why people aren't all the same in the ways they think and act. Recommended for all ages - especially younger folks - and for sharing!
The Grown-up Conversation
The twins were excited about going to the farmers' market with Grandfather. There was so much there to see every week, and lots of good things to taste! They especially liked the jars of honey fresh from the bees, and all of the wonderfully delicious cakes, pies, breads and cookies.
Plus, there were jams & jellies and lots of just-picked colorful veggies. Some of the market vendors also brought many kinds of handcrafted items and things like flowers, too.
While the children explored the many tables and displays, Grandfather bought some things to take home for dinner. He also talked with several people, sharing some special news with his grown-up friends. A new person was coming later this month to meet with the village board, and they could be a big help in developing the community.
The twins had heard a bit of what Grandfather talked about. On the way home they asked why he hadn't told them about the new person coming to their town.
Grandfather thought quickly about how to explain in a way they would understand. "This is something that the grown folks have to know about," he said. "They are the ones who are responsible for things that happen in our community. They are the ones with the maturity to make the best decisions about things that are important to us all, even younger folks like you."
"If it's important to us too, like you said, why didn't you tell us about this new person?" they asked.
"Well that's pretty easy to answer," said Grandfather, smiling with affection for his young ìnquisitors. "You need all the time you have to be young and have fun while you are learning and growing. That's your most important job, until you get older. That will happen soon enough. But now is the time for you to be young."
He continued, "There is a lot of grown-up stuff that isn't much fun. It takes a lot of learning to know how to deal with some things."
Each of the youngsters, brother and sister, considered this for just a moment before speaking. Brother said, "You were young like us one time, too. How long did it take you to become a grown-up?" he asked seriously.
Grandfather always enjoyed talking to his grandchildren. This question was one of the reasons why. It showed where they were in their thinking, and revealed some of the thought processes their developing minds could handle.
He replied, taking the necessary time to explain well. "It isn't just about gaining a certain number of years in life. It's also about becoming mature in how we think about things, how we do things. Learning to think carefully, especially in critical and analytical ways, is a big part of 'getting older'. Everyone gets older, but not everyone matures at the same pace or in the same way. Just as some people are older than other people, there are some grown-ups who are more mature than other grown-ups. It's like a special kind of mystery."
Little sister's next questions followed quickly: "Do you mean....two people can get older, but one can get mature sooner? Can a young person be mature before they get old enough to be a regular grown-up?"
Grandfather was very impressed with the girl's thoughtful queries. He knew that one reason the children could think like this was because of the open and honest discussions they sometimes had with others, both young and old.
In a way that is sometimes not easy to explain so that everyone can understand, the children weren't only learning. They were also learning how to learn. It's a lifelong process that not everyone recognizes or understands.
"Yes," Grandfather answered, "that means we all age, mostly in the same ways. But we all mature at our own pace. Some people mature faster than others, or slower, or in different ways. And some people mature more fully than others, too. But that's enough explaining for now. Your maturity is coming. Today's a day specially made for having fun and learning new things, so...."
Together, the twins finished his thought as they laughingly said, "...we'll let tomorrow worry about tomorrow. Let's make the best of this day while we have it!"
And it would be a very good day indeed.
- The End -
The Grown-up Conversation / © L.L. Hamilton, Jr.
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