[Private Entry 1]
Five year-old Cara crept into her father's study and sat across from him at his desk. He pretended not to notice her as he continued to grade papers. Having come prepared, she pulled out some papers of her own, along with a red pen. She made large Xs on the already-scribbled-on pages, answers that she had somehow deemed wrong. She would look up at her father from time to time, just to make sure she got her movements right. He would frown, she would frown. He would put his pen to his mouth, and she would do the same. But then he went for a sip of his tea, and she paused.
He finally looked up at her, smiling, "Well, Cara. If you're going to do this, you have to do it right." He quickly left the room and returned with a small cup for her. Then he picked up his own large mug of tea and poured some of its contents into the cup, passing it over to her, "Tea helps you to think. Helps you to concentrate on the task in front of you." Then he bent over her papers, and pointed at a scribble, "That one's wrong, too." He gave her a huge grin before going back to his work.
She took a small sip of the tea. Mint, with the tiniest bit of sugar. She smiled, giving him a quick nod, before getting back to work.
He finally looked up at her, smiling, "Well, Cara. If you're going to do this, you have to do it right." He quickly left the room and returned with a small cup for her. Then he picked up his own large mug of tea and poured some of its contents into the cup, passing it over to her, "Tea helps you to think. Helps you to concentrate on the task in front of you." Then he bent over her papers, and pointed at a scribble, "That one's wrong, too." He gave her a huge grin before going back to his work.
She took a small sip of the tea. Mint, with the tiniest bit of sugar. She smiled, giving him a quick nod, before getting back to work.