One day at work I received a hysterical call from our nanny. She is Guatemalan and her English is limited, especially when upset, so I couldn’t make out precisely what was wrong. I ascertained that nobody was hurt, and assured her I would sort it out when I got home.
Later as I pulled up our driveway she flew out the door to meet me, tears in her eyes. She held aloft the video case for “Little Miss Sunshine”. For those of you who do not know the film, Little Miss Sunshine is pure cinematic gold. The film also includes A LOT of profanity. Everyone would agree this is not an age-appropriate film for a 4-year old.
Enter our 4-year old son. He and his best friend had been bored. They innocently approached the nanny with the video in hand asking if they could watch it. The cover features a cute little girl standing in front of a camper van. What could possibly be wrong with that? The nanny put in the film and went off to do something. Later when she came to check on the boys, she walked in to hear the grandfather character ask “Is that chicken?… what’s with the godd@#$%, f-ing chicken?!”
The actual film footage of this moment can be found here. Don’t play this clip at the office. Did I mention there is A LOT of profanity in the film and that it is NOT suitable for a 4-year old?
The nanny instantly turned off the movie. The boys had no idea what the words meant. But they knew without doubt they were not supposed to hear or use such words. Which of course they proceeded to do for the rest of the day. At lunch they asked each other “what’s with the godd@#$%, f-ing chicken?!” They biked down the hill and called to one another “what’s with the godd@#$%, f-ing chickennnnnnn?” The nanny was beside herself, sure that she had scarred them for life and that I would be horrified.
On the contrary. I could not stop laughing. I assured her that everything was fine and not to worry. I would speak about it with our boy. But first I had to go tell the other boy’s dad about what happened. The other dad is a Christian youth pastor, but also one of the most relaxed dudes I know. He often uses the phrase “Far out”.
I walked across the street and said, “Hey neighbor, do you know the film “Little Miss Sunshine?”
“Sure Chuck”, he said. “Far out”.
“Well”, I replied, “You will probably hear more about it in the coming days…” I then explained what had happened. He too could not stop laughing. He assured me it was no problem and that he would have a talk about it with his son.
The next morning I dropped my little guy off at daycare. We entered the crowded room. He spied his best friend at the other end of the classroom with his youth pastor dad. “Hey Buddy!” my son yelled in his loudest voice, “Is that chicken?… what’s with the godd@#$%, f-ing chicken?!” In the deafening silence that followed there came a faint “Far out” from the other end of the room.
[If you know someone else who might enjoy a lighthearted story to begin their week, kindly forward them the link to WordsfortheWeary. The more the merrier.]
Far out. Made me laugh!