or; Why I like kids better than adults…
When Jessica was about 5 or 6, she took a class field trip to Sea World. We have gone to Sea World lots of times over the years, although I have very mixed feelings about the place. But as a stay at home dad, I volunteered to help. We got there early, before the park was open to the public, and they escorted us all to the dolphin tank. I have always loved these adorable creatures, and there is something about seeing them in captivity that sets my teeth on edge. They don’t look unhappy, but with those cute smiles and tendency to frolic, how could you tell? The tank is not very big, about the size of an Olympic swimming pool, I guess. They want the dolphins to never be too far from the guests, who lure them over with fish you buy from a vendor. The pool has rocks and plants, and clear plastic walls that curve slightly over the tank. You can crouch down and see them right through the walls when they are under the water.
During the later parts of the day, the dolphins get a little tired of all the screaming tourists trying to pet them, and just sort of circle the center of the pool once they have had their fill of fish. But in the morning, still hungry and full of energy, they were going wild. It was something to see. It was amazing. There were perhaps ten dolphins in this little pool, just playing like a pack of puppies, leaping and chasing each other around. Some just swam in circles as fast as they could go, and that is pretty darn fast. They were just enjoying being alive… like kids do.
I had a brief moment of stupidity. I wanted to share the moment with someone who had an adult’s vocabulary, so I could verbalize the joy I was feeling, and my sorrow that the dolphins had to be confined for our enjoyment. So I glanced around to see what the other parents were doing. Now, don’t get me wrong. I liked some of these people, and they were just fine as parents, for the most part. They were here with their kids on a field trip. I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised to see them all chatting and sipping their Starbuck’s coffee, or talking on their cell phones. Not one adult was even looking at the dolphins… or their own kids watching the dolphins. They all had adult things on their minds.
And I admit, I got a little angry. Humans had gone out in boats and captured these beautiful, wild animals, then stuck them in a freekin fishbowl for our entertainment, and these idiots couldn’t even be bothered to pay them any attention. ‘Oh, I’ve seen dolphins before’, seemed to about sum up their level of interest.
Then, from where I was crouched on one knee by the wall of the tank, I cast a glance to either side of me. There were all the kids, each and every one with hands and face pressed against the plastic, eyes wide in joy, just to see these animals playing. They knew about playing. They knew about just letting go and feeling the moment. They knew about racing to nowhere in particular to feel free. They knew about life.
It dawned on me that adults, with all the words in the world, had nothing to say to me that I needed or wanted to hear. And I had nothing to say to them that wouldn’t sound just a little angry at that point.
And I realized, although I had always known it deep down, that at that moment, I was with my people.
Pouring My Art Out 
Kids are cool. Like when one of my first graders’ age 6, says, “if you ever need to know anything, Mrs. M., you can ask me. I am a walking encyclopedia.”
Yes you are, Julian!
Kids, cool.
Dolphins, beautiful, graceful, cool.
Adults, not so much.
Great post.
6 is an awesome age.
gee mr browne, i do like you heaps, and as president-thing of the no boring boring boring adults club i would like to give you the secret password to our secret clubhouse – it’s willybum – please don’t tell the other big people, and please bring candy…..and band aids as we have lots of scraped knees…..and pop so we can continue our burping competitions……..and marbles……and timmy wants to know what a lady garden is……..i told him it’s where you grow kisses but he doesn’t believe me……
That was a long way to go to be considered a kid. That was Awesome. Your inner child has put your outer adult in time out. Oh, yeah.
i can switch ever so easily; it just takes the right thing to stimulate
It is nice to have a choice. So many people are stuck being either one or the other.
Aaaah, it’s so much better to keep the kid inside you alive and happy than to be a full-fledged adult. Stupid adults who don’t even care for those beautiful creatures in front of their noses.
Adults just need to listen to kids… their kids, friend’s or relative’s kids, inner children… rent one, borrow one… (But please do not steal one)
Hahaha. So true 🙂
Ha Ha
I had a feeling this post would be good. But it really was more than that. Children are still innocent and pure, and seeing them in an element that brings that out is amazing.
You seriously brought a gut wrench to me, in a good way. Thanks for this post!
I am all about those wrenched guts… thank you
I went dolphin watching in the Atlantic last week (don’t I sound like such a rich snob putting it like that?) it was pretty cool.
I think the surly captain said dolphins live up to 30 years in the wild. While in captivity they die in the first 3 weeks or only last 5 years. “They belong in the ocean as our Creator intended” said the captain. Then I realized I was surrounded by Republicans.
You can’t ever finish on a high note, can you?
Lol
LOVE this! A fine example of why I am so insistent about your writing.
I’m with you on the captivity thing and having the humility to, at least, honor the animal by paying attention.
Stop and smell the dolphins…
That is beautiful PMAO. We do lose too much as we “mature”.
Don’t use the ‘m’ word with me…
This is why I say…Be responsible, but ALWAYS remain a kid at heart.
How can you not stop and enjoy the moment. These creatures are awesome. How can you not be fascinated by them? Only the penguins are better. But they don’t let us pet them unfortunately. 😀
They bite.
minor technicality…lol
No way, they are like feathered pit bulls.
but cuter
with bird flu and rabies
Awesome post! Kids (most of them, anyway) are the best people in the world.
Most of them is right. But 5 and 6 year olds are usually ok. Teenagers, just adults with no self control.
Excellent description!
I call em like I see em.