Things that make my day

"May I sit here?"

I looked up, and she was smiling at me through those big brown eyes. In her hand, she was clutching a stuffed dog; brown with black spots all over. She couldn't have been more than five.

"Sure," I replied. I don't get the opportunity to talk to children much, so whenever it happens, I find myself fumbling for something to say. Come to think of it, this is true for almost everyone I meet for the first time. "So... what's your name?"

She shouted her name through the noise, with glee or pride, I couldn't tell which; children -- everything they do is coated with child-like enthusiasm. I repeated for confirmation, and she nodded her approval.

I pointed to the toy dog. A good conversation starter; some saving grace. "And does your dog have a name?" Of course he does.

"Cookie!"

"And do you have any dogs at home?"

"Yes! I have one dog at home!" She held up her index finger for emphasis. "He's black!"

"My dog's black too!" I exclaimed excitedly.

Then her eyes turned downwards, and with some sadness, she said: "But my dog's broken. His nose fell off."

"..."

If I'd been drinking water, I'd have sprayed it all out. Instead, I managed to hold back the laughter, breaking only the tiniest hint of a grin. What made me think that I could have an actual conversation with a kid without being surprised? Totally my fault for assuming -- why wouldn't she be talking about a toy dog? :p