OUT OF THE MOUTHS

My widowed mother was marrying Judge Oliver Hamlin in a small Catholic church. Mounted behind the altar was the crucifix.

The lack of religious education given our children became evident when son Richard, then aged five, stared at the figure and asked, "Who's that?"

In a hushed voice, he was told this was the figure of Jesus Christ nailed to the cross.

Rich nodded, seemed deep in thought and then blurted within earshot of all sitting nearby, "What kind of nails did they use?"

Time passed. We took Grandson Joe to the zoo in Oakland. It was great fun. Now standing in front of the baboons, he stared and stared at the bright red rear end of one of the occupants.

He shook his head, looked up and said, "Ouch."