Why Flies are Important - PT Conversations, 1

April 2nd, 2008 • Related • Filed Under

Every once in a while, I have a conversation with my 5 year old daughter, the Pink Tornado, that simply must be documented. I’ll be blogging them here.

Fly- http://farm1.static.flickr.com/68/189512184_95a0d4ca45_m.jpgThe PT is on spring break this week, so today we went to spend a Build A Bear gift card. After making Sara, the pink bear with the fairy princess dress, we went to Barnes and Noble where I bought Infected and a book to research my upcoming novel (and I saw Dr. Ruth, who was apparently really doing a signing there, although I expected B&N to be April Fooling me until I saw the tiny sexpert).

On the way out, the PT frowned and asked, “Why are flies important?”

I started to tell her, but we ran into a friend who chatted with us for a bit, then we kept going. “Do you still want to know why flies are important?” I asked. (I’m pretty sure a passing man choked when he overheard me.)

“Yeah.”

So I explained that even though we don’t really like rats and flies and seagulls, they and other vermin are kinda important for devouring the rotting bodies of animals that would otherwise pile up. She expressed some concern about flies seeing her asleep, assuming she’s dead, and laying eggs on her, but I assured her that it’s pretty unlikely flies can be fooled into thinking sleeping, healthy flesh is dead, rotting flesh.

So now she knows why flies are important. And she will use this knowledge to her advantage, I hope.

There Are 9 Responses So Far. »

  1. Comment by Chris Lester on 2 April 2008:

    *grin* The future will be a brighter place with kids like PT in it. Scientific curiosity probably comes natural to us humans, but it’s rare to find parents who foster it instead of giving such questions the brush-off. On behalf of all my fellow scientists and wannabe scientists, I thank you.

    So, um, yay for vermin! :)

  2. Comment by Brian on 2 April 2008:

    Wow shes a perceptive one for 5 or so? Very cool answer though Mur..Up with VERMIN!

  3. Comment by Nobilis on 2 April 2008:

    I find that it’s a rare thing to find an incurious child. Parents, school, and society at large conspire to beat it out of them. Some people, I think, just outgrow it, as if curiosity were unimportant after the age of twelve.

    Have fun, Mur… This is a fun age.

  4. Comment by Jim on 2 April 2008:

    This explains her concern about the tiny little fruit fly just before bed. Not knowing of this conversation, I just explained that fruit flies eat and lay eggs in rotten fruit, not little girls.

  5. Comment by CharlesP on 2 April 2008:

    I love kid stories.
    I’ve got an 11 year old (well, he’ll be 11 next week) who doesn’t provide as much fodder, but the 2 and 4 year old are great resources of comedy.
    My daughter reminds me of the grandmother one of my friends in grade-school who lived in, for lack of a better term, the ghetto. If she was upset with one of her grandkids she would take off a shoe to smack them with.
    My daughter (the 2 year old) a couple weeks ago got upset at an indoor playground and because she didn’t have her shoes still on to throw at somebody she got upset.
    “Gracie FROW SOMEFING!”
    and then proceeded to start pulling off her own pants to throw.
    She has also in recent days bit her 4 year-old brother’s nose because she was mad at her biggest brother but couldn’t reach him.

    I tell you these things as a warning. Don’t be fooled by the first kid being energetic but fun and pretty good… we started there too, and I’m afraid if we have a 4th it’s going to come out with a german accent, small mustache, an a goose-step.

  6. Comment by Cmaaarrr!!! on 2 April 2008:

    SCIENCE.

    Now, you need to take the opportunity to teach her the word “ovipositor,” and the universe will continue to move in the right direction.

  7. Comment by Jared Kardos on 2 April 2008:

    Nice. :D

    I agree about the need for kids to have curious minds–I know I try to keep mine as inquisitive as possible.

  8. Comment by Stijn Hommes on 5 April 2008:

    I heard PT on the recent ISBW episode. I’m positive she’ll be a great podcaster. You should try recording those conversations…

  9. Comment by Sully on 17 July 2008:

    … and I thought flies were simply here to help improve my forehand swing…

    If you ever need to eliminate an unwanted flying guest, and lack a swatter, try a trusty pair of socks and a good flick of the wrist. With the proper technique, there’s no splatter or goo.

    Love the PT story.

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