Sunday 24 July 2011

Sticking to the script

Little bear's bed time routine includes two stories, negotiated up from one some time ago. Little bear does make efforts to increase the number, but so far we are stuck on two. Normally I read them while OH potters.

Last night little bear asked for the 'ABC Train' to be read. It is far too young for him, but he likes it, so we agreed, followed by 'Big Mum Plum' which is a seriously recommended read. And for a change little bear asked OH to read it.

OH isn't a fan of the 'ABC Train'. Apart from anything else, the rhymes and the rhythms are absolutely appalling, really strained and artificial. It is a book with a pull out jigsaw, half the pieces lost, with an animal for every letter (x is for xylophone, played by a sheep). OH gritted his teeth and started. He lasted three letters then, 'D is for dalek that says exterminate, E is for elephant of such a great weight.'
'No!' yelled little bear. 'Do the proper words.'
OH sighed. 'D is for dog...' He got to 'P for Pandorica...'
'No!' little bear was cross. 'Not Pandorica, read it properly!'
The awful rhymes were really getting to OH. 'R is for Rory, with his Roman sword.'
Little bear was incandescent. "No! No! No! Mummy read the story, it's not fair!'

So I read the story word for word (it really is horrible) and little bear subsided and then flaked out at the end of the songs, worn out by the frustration of the Doctor Who references (and a day tearing around in darling uncle's garden).

OH is suitably reprimanded, and a bit upset that he didn't get to read the stories. I can't blame him though.

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