My other enlightening conversation was with my kids. My son had this Pokemon toy in that whatcha-may-call it container that was very hip and very popular about two years ago. If you watch the cartoon you might know what I’m talking about, that Pokemon ball and the Pokemon comes inside the ball – I forgot what the correct name is? Anyway, he had this little bird that was actually a chicken, very tiny. He showed it to me and asked mom do you remember this? Do you know what it is? I said “Oh yes, the Pokemon. It’s a bird, a chicken.” He said, “Mom it’s not a bird but it is a chicken!” I looked at him and went, “What do you mean it’s not a bird?” “A chicken is a bird!”
Then the discussion started. A bird is a bird no matter what type it is. Just because a chicken doesn’t’ look like a normal bird, it is still a bird. Just like the Turkey, and the Goose and ducks. I went down the line naming them all. Then my three year old put her two cents in to say, “Ha, ha a chicken is a bird” Anything to tease her big brother with. My oldest said, “You know I never really think about that but you’re right mom.”
My son felt sheepish but I told him not to worry about it. Of course he knew it was a bird he just didn’t think about it that way. I said well, these things happen and you should always think things through sometimes before you answer any questions you’re asked. We had a good laugh about it.