(Not related to the other "Why" but got me thinking)
A young child begins the "Why Game" with another species. The parent offers them an out but they politely decline. Curiosity is an enviable trait and they will continue to answer for as long as the child asks...
...A small crowd of interested and amused people has begun to form, with some stepping in to field questions from their own specialties. A few humans encourage their children to join in as the first child starts to get fussy (it is past their nap time by now).
The original Answerer insists on remaining even as others offer to take their place and some of the humans begin to quietly place bets. Win, lose, or draw they have earned the humans respect and, unknowingly, a reputation for being a great babysitter. -- Silverrey
Patience is a virtue, catch it if you can. Seldom seen in women, and never seen in man. -- ancient Terran saying.
Human parentals seemingly need an infinite supply of patience, especially when their young start asking questions about the world around them.
"Why is space black?" asked the little Human as parent and child waited for a connection shuttle. They were peering out a porthole apparently watching for the shuttle's approach. They were also too young to employ a brain-to-mouth bypass.
"There's no atmosphere to scatter the light. Remember when we were planetside? The sky was blue because the air scattered the light and made the stars invisible."
If this was absorbed, the juvenile showed no sign. "Why've you got feathers and no beak?"
Troq started simply, "I am a saurian. A form of dinosaur. We tend to have feathers, but not beaks."
"Why?"
"We are a little closer to lizards than birds, and we still have our teeth."
"Why?"
"Teeth can be a lot more versatile."
"Why?"
The parental spoke up, "You can tell her to ask you later, she'll forget the train of thought in about five minutes."
"I don't mind," said Troq. "Education begins with a simple question." Troq took a breath and figured out the child's answer. "Beaks are useful as a one-job tool. Teeth can cut, pierce, or crush as needed. Beaks do one job and do it well."
"Why?"
The parental rolled their eyes and made the universal face and gestures to mean, I'm sorry about this, but you are kind of asking for it.
The child kept asking, and Troq kept answering. The loading lounge slowly filled with other fellow passengers, each supplying additional information, and the topic bounced through evolution, critical extinction events, and what factors chance had in the evolution of cogniscent life. Medicine, history, weather and environment, every form of science was covered with a simple question, asked over and over again.
Other children joined it, too. Not just the original font of curiosity. Experts weighed in and older children translated for those of lower understanding capability. Some impromptu science experiments came out of pockets and carry-ons. In little pieces, in easy-to-understand answers, the universe opened.
Then the shuttle arrived and the passengers loaded into their assigned seating. The original juvenile Human fell asleep in her parental's lap. Some discussion on science and the universe at large buzzed amongst the passengers.
The parental in question tapped Troq's shoulder and whispered, "I guess it's my turn to ask. Why? Why'd you put up with her so long?"
"You Humans have the saying, it takes a village to raise a child, yes?"
"Yes...?"
"My kind evolved from herding creatures. Everywhere we go, we take our village with us."
Thusly, a little bit more of the universe opened for an otherwise stressed parental. "Huh. That works. That really works."
[Image (c) Can Stock Photo / threeart]
If you like my stories, please Check out my blog and Follow me. Or share them with your friends!
Send me a prompt [81 remaining prompts!]
