The following is a
dialog that passed between
Athena and me in the car, on the way home from day care when she was about 2 1/2. It was the result of her
father and me attempting to get her to
sleep by herself, in her own bed.
Athena: Mommy, what if I wake up and there's a ghost under my bed and he scares me? Can I come into your room and sleep in your bed?
Me: Athena, there's no ghost under your bed...
Athena: Yes, I know, I'm just talking about it - what if there is? I'll be scared.
Me: Well, what if the ghost is scared? Who will comfort the ghost? Who will he sleep with?
Athena: Oh... his mommy!
Me: What if his mommy is not around? Maybe you should comfort the ghost. Then neither of you will be scared anymore.
Athena: Oh... maybe that's true. Look - the ghost is holding my hand... he likes me!
Me: He's here?
Athena: Yes, see? He's holding my hand. Mommy, you hold his other hand. See? He likes you too.
Me: Does he have a name?
Athena: Ghost, what's your name? He said it's Jimmy. His name is Jimmy Griffiths.
(This is the same Athena that features in Mofaha's The Queen of America.)
P.S.: I am not Mofaha.