The Thumb Joke

12-yr-old girl.  Her posture was not as good as it should be, very tight and squeezy, so she had her thumb clenched up to her hand (like a Stop sign).

Me: Hand down. [she straightens her wrist but is still quite tense].  Floppy.  [I tried to open up the gap between her thumb and hand].  What's this?  What's this doing here?
Girl [bewildered]: I... I don't know.... I've always had a thumb there....

We both laughed.  A lot. 

The Art Critic

9-yr-old boy.  I started a painting which now stands at the top of the stairs, in the living room.  It has a violinist in it.

Boy: Um, Anna?  Is this you?
Me: Er- not really.  But it looks more like me than any other violinist I know, so maybe.
Boy [looking closer]: It's not a very good bow hold...
Me: Well, it's pretty small.  Have you tried to paint a bow hold that small?  With not a tiny paintbrush?  Trust me, it's not easy.
Boy: The left hand has a pretty good shape to it... I think...  [peering more closely] It's a bit hard to tell though...  But that sky is really cool!
Me: Phew.  Thanks!