Prepared for Encounters

Since the Old Baguette was born ten years after her parents married, many of their friends were childless couples.  Many of these couples were childless because they really did not like children and had the good sense not to have any.  Her mother knew precisely how their friends regarded children and would brief the Old Baguette, then a Petite Pain, before the guest or guests darkened the door.  To be permitted to stick around when the guests didn't like children, the Petite Pain knew she had to be a good little girl.  She had to sit quietly by her mother like all those children of legend who are seen but not heard.  If her mother said that the visitors liked children, the Petite Pain understood that she would be included in the social group.  However, to get to stay, she still had to be a good little girl.  She still had to sit quietly by her mother, but she could be heard as well as seen.  Whenever there was a lull in the conversation, she was encouraged to have her say.  And how did she know when it was okay to speak up?  She'd squeeze her mother's thumb.  When that inevitable lull came around, her mother would ask, "Did you have something you wanted to say?"  In time, the Petite Pain could recognize lulls when they came around. 

The Petite Pain was included always when guests were greeted.  At first she was held.  Then, when she could stand on her own two feet, she stood on her own two feet.  She saw a lot of kneecaps.  With child-friendly visitors, she was encouraged to do some welcoming on her own.

Harry Potts liked children.  As always, the Petite Pain had been briefed before his visit, but she didn't get Harry's name right.  She thought it was "Trary."  Not Harry, but Trary Potts.   That evening when the doorknocker sounded, the parents and the child being socialized opened the door.  After the greetings, the welcome, and the small talk were over, there was a lull.  The Petite Pain  said, "Hello, Trary.  How does your garden grow?"  Trary said, "The silver bells are all in a row."

By the time she was three, the Petite Pain was a party animal.  The socialization effort was planned by her parents and accomplished with a little help from their friends.  The Petite Pain began life relishing encounters.  What could be lovelier?  Perhaps that's why the Old Baguette has had so many of them.