Report from the front lines: another day in gan

I had the pleasure of spending another day with those cute little boys (in the picture to the right) in gan this past Sunday. And now I feel obliged to give you a quick update on what is new in their lives. Before I do so may I just say that everyone who feels that they are losing sight of the big picture should spend a day with people like them. And second, the greatest thing I can wish you all, as we approach Purim, is the clarity of their worldview.

Since they all go by nicknames -- and not their real names -- I am going to use their individual handles!!

• Zundel had his haircut -- he no longer has the long blond curls that he had a few months ago. He looks very mature and could easily pass for three and a half!!!
• Dundun is speaking English like a regular two-year-old -- which is impressive since it is his third language. Also, he seems to have forgotten his obsession with French children's folk songs.
• Shruli appears to be in the midst of a small personal rebellion -- yes, he was kicking the underside of the lunch table and if you go to gan you know that there is no kicking the table while chewing! I don't know why, but there isn't and that's the end of the subject.
• Rafi is walking -- and the adults in his life are breathing a sigh of relief because, God love him, is he a very significant little man and carrying him around requires great physical strength and a very good back.
• Shua is back from vacation -- and spent the first hour after meeting me eyeing me suspiciously before determining that since all his friends were bringing me boardbooks to read, I must be okay. He then proceeded to talk my ear off for the next three hours. 

And now, in the spirit of the upcoming holiday, I am going to paraphrase the version of the Purim story that they are learning. No wonder so many of us Jewish kids get to a certain age and realize that the religion we thought we were part of was actually Disney Judaism and in fact, the real deal is a lot harder to digest.

Here we go. The Gan version of Purim:

There was a city called Shushan. It had a castle. The king -- Achashverosh --lived in the castle with the queen -- Vashti. The king was a very silly king and he liked to have lots of parties. One day the king decided to have a party and he asked the queen to come to the party and dance. She said no.  He was a silly silly king. He made Vashti go away, but then he was sad. Then a nice man named Mordechai told the king, "don't be sad, I will find you a new wife." Mordechai brought the king, Esther, and then he wasn't sad. But there was also a very bad man. His name was Haman. He was very, very bad to the Jewish people. Mordechai told Esther that she had to get rid of Haman so Esther went to the king and told him that Haman was a very very bad man. The king got rid of Haman and then the Achashverosh, Esther and Mordechai -- and the Jewish people -- lived happily ever after.

If you have any issues with this version of the story you can take them up with the teacher, Bracha. But, really, why would you? Happy Purim to all. May we always vanquish our enemies so easily.