Owen: It was funny! And the Romans tried to run away, but the elephants tried to spray them!
Me: Are the Romans elephants? (We were confused about this earlier.)
Owen: No, the elephants tried to get the Romans and spray them. The elephants ran fast and got them with water.
Me: James, what can you tell me about the Punic Wars?
James: Chickens
Me: What about chickens?
James: They threw.
Me: Who threw? And why?
James: They were thrown overboard.
Me: Why were they on a boat?
James: I don't know.
Me: Who was Hannibal?
James: A waddick.
Me: What's a waddick?
Owen: A waddick is something that gets mad.
James: It's just a waddick.
Me: What can you tell me about Carthage?
James: I don't know.
Me: Is it a city?
James: No.
Me: It is a city.
James: Oh.
Me: Are they friends with Rome in Carthage?
James: I don't know.
Me: Should we read that whole chapter again?
James: No.
Me: Then tell me something you remember about the chapter besides chickens and elephants.
James: They marched down from the mountains.
Me: Do you remember why they were fighting?
James: No.
Me: Were they fighting over who got to have ships in the Mediterranean Sea?
James: I think so.
Me: Do you remember anything from the last chapter of Wayside School?
James: What was it called?
Me: It was called Ears. It was about Wendy Nogard.
James: There was an ear on her head.
Me: And what could the ear do?
James: Hear people's brains.
Me: Is that more interesting than the Punic Wars?
Owen: I remember why they were fighting!
Me: Why, Owen?
Owen: Because the elephants were trying to spray them! That's why they were fighting.
Me: Okay, let's read some more Wayside School.
