THE MOUTHS OF BABES
On Being Eaten by a Dog and the Questions Kids Might Have
That’s right, eaten. Completely.
Walking through the neighborhood with grandpa, Matthew is properly equipped with a long willow branch.
It’s his self-defense weapon, just in case they encounter an unfriendly dog. That rarely happens because he thinks all dogs are friendly — so far.
One day, as they drag their feet on the sidewalk, a dog let loosen from one of the nearby houses comes running at them.
He’s friendly and playful, but the moment he sees the willow branch, he steps away.
-Phew, what a luck that it was a friendly dog, says Matthew.
-Why is that? asks grandpa, trying to see what’s going on in his little head.
-If it were a bad dog, it would have eaten us both, replies Matthew, dangling his branch as if exercising the self-defense moves.
-Who do you think would have been eaten first?
-Me, of course. I’m the smallest, and I was closest to him. Would you have let him, if he tried? asks Matthew, concerned.
-Absolutely not! I would have kicked his ass in an instant, says grandpa.
