I Am Sam: My four year old son has recently picked up the annoying tendency to beg. For example, “Can I have a hot-wheels?” “No, not today.” “Can I have a hot-wheels.” “No.” “Can I have a hot-wheels?” “I said no.” etc.

I’ve always wondered why kids will continue trying things that have never worked. The above technique has not ever, nor will it ever, work with me. In fact, it will usually result in undesirable consequences. The logical conclusion is that he has tried it with someone else and it did work. But who would possibly give in to such begging? It must be Lyss…

Well, as we sat down to read a bed-time story last night, I realized where he has learned this technique. We read Green Eggs and Ham for the 10th time in 3 weeks and this time, as I read it, my eyes were opened. Here is a paraphrase of the book. Oblique words are Sam’s, bold words are the other guy’s:

Hi, I’m Sam. Would you like some green eggs and ham? No.
Would you like them here or maybe there? No.
Would you like them with a fox? No.
Would you like them in a box? No.
Would you like them… No.
Would you like… No.
Would you… No.
Would… NO.
You say you don’t like them, but you haven’t tried them. Just try one bite. PLEASE.
Fine. Since you keep asking me again and again, I’ll try them. Hmm… they’re good. I like them, I should have listened to you the first time. Thanks Sam.

It all makes sense now.