Get the message?

Yesterday we explored the walkways around Alderley Edge with Mel, John and Maisie. Hide and seek was the game of choice but the adults found it a much happier experience after we had agreed a code word with Dominic and Max. On hearing the words "baked beans", they promised they would immediately come out of their hiding places and stop us worrying that they had fallen off a cliff or wandered too far away. I think I have recorded before that Max has developed some prowess at this game and fear of losing children is not a pleasant thing.

As the rain started to fall we went for lunch, during which Dominic outlined his plan for our next game of hide and seek. He thought it would be a really good idea when he was 'it' just to shout 'baked beans' and then he would find everyone without any effort. Hmm.

To counter this cunning plan, I decided to tell him the tale of the boy who cried wolf. I told him the story and he was all ears. Very satisfied, I went on with my lunch. Ten minutes later he pipes up, 'Mum, can you tell me that story again. The one about the boy that no-body helped.'
'
'Which story was that?' I replied, a slight edge in my voice I am sure. 'Would that be the one about the boy that lied? The one that no-one trusted because he had tricked and lied so much that when he needed help no-one believed him? That one?' And then of course I told him the story again.

And so today, I thought I'd just check he'd got the message. I showed him this picture and said 'Can you remember the story? Do you remember what the point of it was? What it taught you?'

Quick as a flash came the reply, 'Oh yes - not to shout baked beans.'