Positive Conclusion

Both sitting at a table with books and paper, pad in front of us.

J: (Eagerly) Well? (Expectantly)

S: Well what? (Puzzled)

J: Well, I'm ready for you to help me with my homework assignment. It's due tomorrow.

S: What's the assignment?

J: We have to find ten American proverbs and tell what they mean. 

S: Okay.

J: Okay.

S: Okay what?

J: Okay, do you know any proverbs?

S: What do you have so far?

J: Well, I've been working on it for a while now and this is what I've got. 

S: Good, let's see. All you have is a title, "Proverbs and their meaning." Where's the rest of it.

J: That's your job.

S: My job?

J: Yeah. You going to help me with my homework or not? Do you KNOW any proverbs?

S: Of course I know some proverbs. I thought you were supposed to think of them.

J: Dad!

S: Okay, Okay. Proverbs are little sayings that apply to your life. Here's one, "There's more than one way to skin a cat."

J: What? What are you talking about?

S: It's a proverb. 

J: Well what does THAT mean?

S: What do you think it means?

J: Dad, I'm in a hurry. I've got to meet Karen at the mall. Just tell me what it means.

S: Think about it. It makes sense. What does it mean?

J: A…Well…Let's see skin. Fur. "Cats have fur and don't need clothes so they don't have to go the mall like I do."

S: What? That's not what it means.

J: Okay, I asked you first. Just tell me.

S: It has to do with different ways of doing things. It comes from the idea that different people would skin a cat different ways and that's okay. 

J: That's not okay. That's gross. Why would anyone want to skin a cat anyway?

S: I think we better try another one. How about this: Beggars can't be choosers. Can you think of what that one means?

J: It means that if your dad keeps begging to have you come in by ten he shouldn't choose where you've been.

S: What?

J: If you're going to yell I'm not going to do this with you. I'll just go shopping.

S: You can't have your cake and eat it too.

J: What does that have to do with anything. I was going shopping for clothes.

S: Wait a minute. This is YOUR homework assignment and you need to take responsibility for it.

J: Stop changing the subject. 

S: I'm not changing the subject. Alright. How about this one: A friend in need is a friend indeed. What do you think that means?

J: Your dad wants to be your friend so he's going to give you the money you need to go to the mall.

S: Nice try, sweetheart. That reminds me of another one, "Do unto others what you would have them do unto you." Do you know what that means?

J: He's going to give it to me now!

S: How about, If you can't stand the heat, then get out of the kitchen.

J: If dad's cooking, turn off the fire alarm.

S: Why do you always bring me into it?

J: Well, that's what proverbs are. Practical sayings that apply to YOUR life.

S: Don't put off till tomorrow what you can do today.

J: I better get off to the store before the sale's over. (Joanne gets up to leave.)

S: Wait a minute. I thought you said this paper was due tomorrow?

J: uhh…We'll cross that bridge when we come to it.