Don't talk to strangers! ... unless they have candy...

one early evening right before bed time...

mom
.... don't follow strangers... always stay with mommy and daddy...

kids
ok.

mom
let's practice.

kids
(enthusiastic. climbing into bed)
ok!

mom
ok. Natalie, Tobias is daddy. You stay with daddy. I'm a stranger, ok? You always stay with mommy and daddy and never go with strangers, ok?

Natalie
(wide eyed. smiling. Tobias watching intently from behind)
ok.

mom
(extremely cheery)
Hi little girl! I have a very cute puppy in my car. Do you want to come with me and see my cute puppy?

Natalie
(wide eyed. looking through the top of her eyes up at mommy)
after a quick moment Natalie slowly smiles and nods her head yes.

mom
(surprised. amused) (Tobias quietly cracking up in the background)
No, Natalie. I'm a stranger. You're not supposed to follow strangers, right?

Natalie nods her head in agreement.

mom
You stay with dad. Don't follow me. ok?

Natalie
(enthusiasm renewed reminded of her objective, ready for the challenge)
ok.

mom
(extremely cheery)
Hi little girl! You're very pretty. I have some candy over there. Do you want to come with me?

Natalie wide eyed and motionless

mom
(keeps pushing)
Do you want to come with me? I'll give you some yummy candy! Come give me your hand and we'll get some yummy candy! (mom reaches out her hand in anticipation)

Natalie stares up at mommy. unmoving. after a moment a small smile develops. she then reaches out and takes a hold of mommy's hand.

mom
(surprised.)
Natalie, no! You're not supposed to go with strangers!

Natalie's shoulders droop. She looks depleted. Tobias then springs up..

Tobias
(excited)
Let me try! Let me try!

mom
Ok. Natalie you pretend you're mommy. .... Hi little boy. I have a cool toy over there. Do you want to see it?

Tobias immediately breaks out into full-on bruce lee mode with the karate chop hands and all the kung fu noises he can muster.

mom
(taken aback.. then amused)
What are you doing?

Tobias continues to move his hands around menacingly while still making the noises of "the last dragon"

Natalie
(pouting. softly under her breath)
... i want candy .....

I am blessed to say the least ....