The Kids' Talk II

There are days when I feel dumb, especially when your brains got left behind at home and the kids are brought theirs to your office. Last Sunday, this 9 year old girl Amelia proved me wrong .... or right.

Amelia : " Mr Ong, what's the meaning of grating? "

M.O : " oh, grating is when you rub something against a rough surface to make thin slices or powder. Let me give you an example .... err ... err ... (this is where I got jammed in the head ...... then 15 seconds went by and I got nothing!!!) "

So Amelia just looked at me without blinking and I could see the words flashing " it's a simple question and you can't even answer it properly, what's the matter with you today? " across her head like the CNN scrolling newsbar.

Amelia : " I have seen my mother grating turnips to make spring rolls ."

M.O : " Yes! Yes! that's grating ... now what else can we grate ... err ... err .. "
(another 15 seconds went by)

Amelia : " I think I saw my mother grating cheese also. "

M.O : " Yes! Yes! you can also grate cheese .... now what else ...err.. err ... (think brain, think!!!)

Amelia : " Wasabe "

M.O. " wasabe??? "

Amelia : " you know, the thingy Japanese eat with Sushi "

M.O. " I know what wasabe is ok ... "

Amelia : " I think I better go home and ask my mother instead "

M.O. " ............... "