Thursday, February 07, 2008

only monkeys need apply

It's Chinese New Year, and five year-old Lola is enrapt. She pored over a Chinese horoscope chart Iris Uber Alles brought home from second grade. Lola was most taken by the description of those born in the Year of the Monkey: "Monkey people are very funny. They can always make people laugh. They are also very good at solving problems."

"Mommy, do you know any Monkeys?"

Sadly only my ex-husband came to mind, which I (a Dragon) kept to myself.

"I've been looking for someone to help me solve problems."

I suggested that Jim, her pre-k teacher, is good at problem-solving. "We could ask him if he was born in the year of the Monkey."

Lola carried the chart to her father (uselessly born in the year of the Horse). "Do you think Jim was born in the year of the Monkey? Do you know anyone born in the year of the Monkey?"

She sighed when her father was not helpful enough. "It's only I've been looking for someone to help me solve problems."

"What kind of problems do you have?" I asked. Lola was evasive. "Oh, just problems."

11 comments:

Silliyak said...

I think she's plotting a coup de Iris.
And if you're wondering, I'm a Tiger baby, Yeh! (That was an Austin Powers imitation)

Anonymous said...

How do you solve a problem like, I-RIS?

Anonymous said...

oh, and DRINK recipe!

Anonymous said...

i knew someday being a monkey would pay off! send her my way.

Vodalus said...

^rat. squeak!squeak!

(According to my Chinese boyfriend, I am now 25. I think I'll stick with the Western calendar, where I am 23.)

hughman said...

problems :

how do i peel bananas?
how can i swing from trees?
do i need the organ grinder?
who will pick off my nits?
are all monkeys curious, or just george?

Susan said...

I think I'm a monkey. Can I help you Lola! I'll try to make you laugh, and I'll do my best to solve all the world's problems! :-)

hughman said...

ps. i am an ox. although i think i have monkey tendencies. i am a mox.

Love Bites said...

Hey, horses are clearly superior.

Missy said...

I'm a Tiger, too. I sympathize with the no-help-with-problems feelings, though, I often feel that way myself.

Anonymous said...

even though I am a Rabbit I feel more like a monkey right now.

Being able to solve Lucy's (as it seems) "private" problems.