THE PROBLEM WITH AN EINSTEIN
“It’s a secret code.” The whispers were in unison as they rushed toward the exhibit.
“Slow down, boys.”
“We weren’t running, Mother.” Samuel stated emphatically. “It’s just we walk much faster than you.”
“I do wish that you would have worn more sensible shoes, Mother.” Ernest quibbled.
“Enough, children.”
“Did Father say anything about the secret code at the water fountains?”
“This is no secret code, boys. This is the entryway to the new Chinese Cultural Exhibits.”
“No code…” Samuel’s face was a gasp.
Mother smiled. The twins had just turned six. Their intellect was more than she could handle on most days. They had been looking forward to this day at the museum for weeks.
“The symbols you see before you are letters of the alphabet.”
“You jest, Mother.”
“We have known our alphabet for years.” replied the other.
“This is the Chinese alphabet.”
“Chinese?” once again in unison.
“Father gave me this pamphlet for you boys.” Mother handed them the pamphlet. “He suspected you would want to …”
There really was nothing else to say. Now seated in front of the rock statuary, the two were urgently flipping through the booklet’s pages attempting to cipher the secret message.
Written for Sunday Photo Fictioners. Requirements: Using the photo prompt, create a 200 word flash fiction piece.
They sound like a right handful. It must be hard keeping even one genius child engaged and entertained, let alone two!
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nothing excites the kids more than decoding the messages. lovely work. thank you!
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Thank you…. And thanks for the read!
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Haha kids and their codes. Awesome.
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Youthful exuberance captured superbly.
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Thanks for the read.
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Lovely story. I really liked the words “Their intellect was more than she could handle on most days.” nicely put!
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Thanks for your kind words and your read!
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Children have a way of adding excitement and adventure to their life! Wonderful story! 🙂
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Thanks for your kind words and for the read.
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They’re more like two mini computers! Great idea for a story.
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Thanks for the kind words!
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Now how do you know there isn’t a secret message? Could be cryptokeyed using chinese symbology… Look out, it’s the NSA!
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I wish the boys great luck in their endeavors! Thank yo so much for your kind words and your rad.
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I think the secret code is learning Chinese.
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Possibly? But I wonder what the Chinese phrase says?
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Sounds like it would be interesting parenting two such intelligent young guys. I would make them take sports just to round out their intellectual abilities. Great job!
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Teaching ‘challenge/gifted’ students is always an adventure.
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I like how you have woven in the boy’s high intellect along with that which boys that age would be very interested in – decoding the secret in the pamphlet!
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Thanks for the kind words. I have kids like these two in my classes!
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I understand you teach 7th grade – I imagine that you do! I’m sure they are so MUCH fun! LOL!! (Not?)
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They are a blast!
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That’s great!!
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