“The rain turned the road into a river. The river became a lake. The lake became a sea. The sea became an ocean. Finally, the last of the land disappeared below the waters in the great deluge,” it was explained.
The children listened intently to the words, their minds unquestioning, except one, “Where did all the water come from?”
“The clouds, now be still and listen,” came the reply. “All were safe in the Ark, Noah, his family and two of all the animals.”
Again a question, “How could all the world’s animals fit into one boat?”
“Stop asking stupid questions or you’ll amount to nothing, Albert Einstein.”
Ross's Writing Blog 
Sparks In Shadow
July 18, 2012 at 09:17
🙂
Ross Mannell
July 20, 2012 at 21:24
Thanks for the smiley.
Knowing how difficult schooling was for Einstein, I could imagine his ability to think differently. 🙂
Anonymous
July 18, 2012 at 09:24
LOL! got me to chuckle!
Ross Mannell
July 20, 2012 at 21:28
Thanks for the comment.
I have heard it suggested Einstein might have had Asperger syndrome within the autism spectrum. If so, being different in a much more formal situation than in today’s classes would have made life difficult for the young Albert.
Lisa Wields Words
July 19, 2012 at 03:46
Cute!
Ross Mannell
July 20, 2012 at 21:32
Thanks for the comment.
When you have a class of young children, they often surprise you with what they do or say.
Gilly Gee
July 19, 2012 at 04:26
Very funny!
Ross Mannell
July 20, 2012 at 21:36
Thanks for the comment.
I’ve had children in my classes who questioned what was said. I liked the challenge as I was never comfortable with a child explaining their opinion because teacher said it was so. 🙂
newpillowbook
July 19, 2012 at 05:04
Hee! Nice interpretation.
Ross Mannell
July 20, 2012 at 21:37
Thanks for the comment.
I’m afraid I was one of those children who wasn’t satisfied just to be told what to think. 🙂
Delft
July 20, 2012 at 00:32
It makes me laugh and then makes me sad. I do think it’s the biggest problem about religious “education” that questions and curiosity are discouraged. Luckily with me it didn’t “take”.
Ross Mannell
July 20, 2012 at 21:43
Thanks for the comment.
One of my favourite memories of such an encounter was in a scripture class involving my older brother. On hearing a minister say something obviously lacking in logic and understanding, he stood and left the class after saying he thought what had been said was nonsense. My brother is now a research scientist and lecturer at a university. 🙂
The Writers Village
July 22, 2012 at 02:02
That was great…. your introductory paragraph is amazingly similar to the poem that I just posted (great minds write alike, Albert?)
Regards, Randy
http://thewritersvillage.wordpress.com/2012/07/21/covenant-julias-place-100wcgu/
Ross Mannell
July 22, 2012 at 08:26
Thanks for the comment.
I can see the similarities between your entry and my opening. It seemed natural one line would lead to another. 🙂
shadetheraven
July 23, 2012 at 04:39
And oh, the irony in the end.
Excellent work!
Ross Mannell
July 23, 2012 at 08:58
Thanks for the comment.
I’m afraid I was one of those questioning children. 🙂
shadetheraven
July 23, 2012 at 12:53
As was I. Heck, I still am. ^^
Rachael 'Honest' Blair
July 23, 2012 at 05:53
Ha ha. Brilliant! Was expecting that ending, it made me laugh 🙂
Ross Mannell
July 23, 2012 at 09:03
Thanks for the comment.
As a class teacher, I enjoyed children’s questions when they didn’t understand or agree. It used to irk me when a child would faithfully accept what was said because the teacher said it. I had experiences when teachers had it very wrong. The questioning mind is an active one. 🙂