The Measure of a Man

Keep Writing Challenge #41 (May 3, 2020) is to write a 150-word (exactly) story on "Calibrate."

The Measure of a Man

We adults have our carefully-calibrated standards for determining manhood, but sometimes kids know more.

Four-year-old Eli interpreted his world by finding similarities and differences around him, so at a family gathering he confidently informed the group, “There are 5 men and 7 women here.”

We looked around and realized that Eli was grouping attendees without regard to age and counting himself as a “man.”

“Well, Eli, you are not quite a MAN, you know. You are a BOY,” his dad commented.

Eli looked puzzled, “Well, Daddy, what do men have that boys don’t?”

His parents glanced at each other. Was Eli contemplating possible biological differences between boys and men?  How should they respond?

Finally, Dad said, “I guess you’re right, son. You have everything now that you’ll have when you’re a man.”

Eli beamed at having his statement affirmed; then, eyes widening, he added, “No, Daddy, YOU have a LAWNMOWER!”