Eavesdropping

Our friend Jason came and visited us back in November and with him he brought the New Amplified Pilgrim's Progress. "What fun!" I thought, "I'll read it to the girls." So a few nights ago, while J was gone, I thought I'd give it a try and we three of us sat on the couch and began to read. It went something like this. (Mind you, this version has a few little sketches, maybe etchings, which I thought would help the young attention spans.):

Me: In my journey through the wilderness...

Annie: (referring to the picture of Christian on the opposite page): Is he alive?

Lily: Is he dead?

Annie: What is his name?

Lily: Does he have a mommy and a daddy?

Me: Well, girls, let's keep reading so we can find out. Let's see, ah, In my journey through the wilderness of this world there came a time when I found myself caged up in a very dreary dungeon. Now how...

Annie: Is he in jail!?

Lily: Is he dead?

Annie: Does he have food in jail?

Lily: Are his mommy and daddy in there mwif (with) him?

Annie: Are there other bad buys in the jail?

Lily: Is he a good guy or a bad guy?

Me: I'm not sure. Let's keep reading. (faster now) Now how I came to be in that place, and what befell me there, is not for me to relate in this little book. What is for me to tell is the story of my dream. For you see, while I was shut up in that most loathsome place surrounded by profligates and felons, I seemed to breathe the very atmosphere of heaven. Yea, 'twas there that I laid me down to sleep; and, as I slept, I dreamed a most wonderful dream.

A: Mom, did that guy dream the dream?

L: Is he dead or alive?

A: Why does he have a beard?

L: What is he reeeeeeeeeading?

A: Can I sit on your lap?

L: No I want to sit on your lap!!

A: No I asked first!

Me: Maybe we'll read this another day.