Overheard

"A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle."

                            -quote ascribed to Irina Dunn (1970)

A few days ago, Botany and I went to look at a secondhand tricycle. There is a fantastic cycle path which runs entirely off- road to a lovely park not far from the house, and she's been showing an interest in riding the cheap metal thing that we acquired for free (but which is falling apart at the seams- you get what you pay for, I guess.)  I am all about buying quality and things that are built to last, but I was choking a little on the price of one of the better makes of trikes. Then I spotted one going for a reasonable sum in the local online classifieds and after a rapid exchange of emails, we hotfooted it over to inspect it with a view to buying.

Having clambered out of the car, Botany insisted on walking and waving her plastic shark friend in the air.

"Mummy? Bring fish?" she asked, referring to one of her infamous Bath Toy Collection.

"No, baby," I found myself saying. "We had to leave the fish at home. It's OK to bring your shark, though. You can have your shark. You can't bring the fish because we're going to look at a bicycle, and fish don't like bicycles."

She smiled up at me, holding my hand. I reminded myself yet again that sometimes, conversations with a toddler can become very, very surreal.   

Fortunately, the shark seemed to like the trike, and we bought it.  I somehow managed to cram it into the back of my teeny tiny car. As soon as we got home, Botany insisted on riding around the block at least twice, emitting little squeals of glee all the way, even though it was starting to rain. 

  

Comments

[Lut C.]

What surprises me most is that you actually found a quote that matches the toddler conversation you had.

I buy loads of stuff secondhand. I bought two trikes, one for home and one for at the grandparents house. :-)

[Cibele]

oool cote and fits the conversation very well, I heart it before in a U2 song
I can't wait to have these conversations with Lyla.