Story Time with Precocious Daughter

Spoiler alert: If you've never read Ray Bradbury's "The Veldt," this post will give away the ending. I'll give you a hint: It doesn't end well for George and Lydia.

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Precocious Daughter's homework assignment for tonight was to read the classic Ray Bradbury story "The Veldt." Because her class is studying the idea of dystopia. Which is not a stomach bug caused by drinking the water in paradise, although it really should be. Stupid English language.

So much for the promised land.

If you're a Ray Bradbury fan, you know the plot of "The Veldt." It's about what happens when you give your children the technology to make their dreams come true, without remembering to not be an asshole. Because kids know the difference between virtual reality and having asshole parents.

You were saying about my bedtime...?

So PDaughter finished reading the story and closed her book. "I'm done," she announced.

"What did you think?" I asked casually.

In a thoughtful tone, she said, "The kids fed their parents to the lions."

Pause.

"Don't worry," she added. "I wouldn't feed you to the lions."

Don't worry, Mother...

...I would never feed you...

...to the lions.

Where's the kid who wishes you into the cornfield when you need him?

If you'll excuse me, I'm going to shower my child with adulation now. Not for any particular reason.

Let me know if you see any lions.