Danger Monkey, age 10: “I made up a game today. What type of animal do you want to be: feline, canine, marine, reptile…”

Me: “No, wait. No game yet. I’d rather talk first.”

DM: “Talk about what?”

Me: “About your day.”

DM: “Like what?”

Me: “I don’t know. Who’s your best friend? What are you studying lately? How much homework do you have? What’s your favorite thing that happened today?”

DM: “Ben, the Civil Rights Movement, a lot, Recess. Now, what type of animal would you like to be: feline, canine, marine, reptile, bird, human, or marsupial?”

Me: (slow blink)

Me: “Canine.”