I do what I'm told.

The other day Henry approached me and said, "Put this on your website." He then recited the following:

I am a Cosimi Kawayi. I am a curious sort of beast but smart. I live in the underground arc-Dakota. The Underdorkdakota. We eat fox and bugs and spider webs. Which taste like a sticky broth. We can't stand up but we're good gallopers. My fur is very pointy so the fleas bounce off. There is no space between the hairs. We can step far. We are very good swimmers. We live for six hundred a million and five years old. Seventy two hundred years ago we were half extinct but still in the ends of the dinosaur ages. We were once a simple breed much like humans but related to frogs. Not as clumsy as frogs, able to walk and breathe over water. After the dinosaur period we lived back and studied our old life by doing what happened in our future. So long and farewell.

I am not any less puzzled than you are. And I made the kid.

Comments

[Swedish Pankakes]

I truly wish I have a son like Henry one day.

[Kate]

Sla-k'orsk, Henry!

[Sarah]

Henry's turn of phrase is fantastic.

[Sarah]

He's a genius. I used to tell my parents about my past lives. I was two! "What do you mean 'before here'?"

[Yolanda]

"We can't stand up but we're good gallopers. My fur is very pointy so the fleas bounce off. There is no space between the hairs."

That sounds just like a string of dialogue from a dream sequence in a David Lynch film, where you know if you could just grasp that part, you would understand the whole story. But you've watched it six times, and you still don't get it, even though all of your intellectual friends do. So, you just start saying that the arc-Dakota series is your favorite because doing so might mean that the guy with Buddy Holly glasses, who chain smokes while waiting for the bus, just might talk to you some day.

[DM]

I seriously want to read this book. Get him to tell you more. And the whole part about the observing their future? Brilliant.

[Dory]

He's going to be a fabulous writer, just like you!

[renee]

henry owns. seconding that he needs to draw pictures next time

[Nicole]

WOW! How old his he! Gosh, what awesome vocabulary and an imagination fit for a sci fi author.

[jen]

Henry makes me believe in reincarnation!

[Kath]

I wish we lived closer than on opposite coasts, because if we did, your Henry and my Liam would absolutely be best friends.

[Marinka]

You did ok, but he clearly needs a Dictaphone.

[LPC]

Or "glossolalia".

[Shnerfle]

Is he copywriting any of this? 'Cause if he's not, I'm totally stealing that novel. That was freaking awesome!

Well done, Henry!

[MotherProof]

What a creative mind! I'm so impressed that you wrote it all down. And jealous.

[jaelithe]

I really think our children are related. Are you sure I never slept with you? Hmm.

[Stephanie]

I love the things kids say. I especially like that he accosted you and told you to put it on your website.

[desiree fawn]

this is so sweet and awesome.thank you for sharing! (though it looks like you didn't have a choice!)

[Lauri]

He is too funny - we definitely need more videos of him dancing - 'round these parts, we all loved the previous one of him doing the "crazy oz-oz dance"...OMG - he is a piece of work - in a very good way...what a character!!

[Daniel]

I am not puzzled by the boy, for I have a similar sort of boy in my house.

[PB Rippey/sleepless mama]

Excellent how he takes care of possible flea issues!

[Mary @ Holy Mackerel]

I loved that!! That shows an originality and a creativity not many his age have. He's the best!

[LPC]

And a final thought. I'm sure it's genetic. In my family the men are oddly verbally gifted. A long time ago one of them drafted the Constitution. Recently one of them was an English professor. And next year one that I gave birth to, who showed similar signs as your son early on, will take a creative writing class from Joyce Carol Oates. On the other hand, all he had to do for that privilege was wake up really early. And having him learn how to wake up really early seemed even more shocking and possibly more useful than his early words. Ha. Who am I kidding? I was as chuffed by my son's skills as you should be. Enjoy.

[Megsie]

Thank you for directing me to A Diamond in the Window. I love it! Maybe she will be writing about Henry's book someday!

[Scott]

Either he's a total genius, or the kid destined never to succeed at traditional forms of education. You may need to look into getting a tutor, or a straightjacket.