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Friday, February 16, 2007

Late Bronze Age Babylonians Have a Leg Up On My Son: The Play

Sam, aged two, and Dad, somewhat older, are eating breakfast; Sam is having a cereal called "Puffins". Sam notices there are only three Puffins left.

Sam: Look, Daddy, three Puffins.
Dad: That's right, and do you know what happens if you eat one?
Sam: (confused)
Dad: Three minus one is...?
Sam: (confused)
Dad: Eat one. (Sam does) OK, you had three, and you ate one, and now how many are left?
Sam: (looks down) Two!
Dad: Right, three minus one is two! Now eat another one. (Sam does) How many are left? Two minus one is...?
Sam: (looks down) One!
Dad: Right, now eat that one. (Sam does) How many are left? One minus one is...?
Sam: (looks down) Milk!

EXEUNT

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