three conversations in one

I went to the store today with my five-year-old son. He wanted to play the "big kids video games" that were running as demos in the electronics department. When we were done, we had an interesting chat.

Him: "Dad, can we buy that?"

Me: "Sorry, buddy... it's too much money for us."

Him: "How much is it?"

Me: "I think it's about $200."

Him: "But the sign says SALE."

Me: "Sometimes even things on sale cost a lot of money."

Him: "Why do they do that?"

Me: "Who?"

Him: "The people in the store. Why do they put up signs that say SALE if there are still a lot of numbers on it?"

Me: "That's a good question... maybe to trick us to buy it."

Him: "I want to tell someone that's not a good choice."

Later on in the checkout line, he got my attention again as the lady behind the register scanned our items.

Him: "Excuse me, can I ask this lady my question?"

Me: "Sure, buddy."

Him: "Excuse me. Why do you have signs that say SALE on them with big numbers?"

Her: (not getting the question) "Well, that tells people how much money things are."

Him: (realizing she isn't getting the question) "I mean, why do you do that?"

Her: (still not getting it) "In case they want to buy it."

Him: (confused)

Me: (intervening) "He's trying to ask about why sometimes things on sale still cost a lot of money."

Her: "Oh, that's a good question."

Him: "Yeah, I don't think that's a good choice."

Her: "You're probably right, honey."

Him: "Dad, can I go to the stuffed animal game machine?"

Her: "Sure."

Her: "He's too young to be worried about those things."

Me: "Actually, I'm glad he is. Kind of helps me to think about them, too."

After I had checked out, I went over to the stuffed animal machine.

Him: "Dad, do you have a quarter?"

Me: "Nope, buddy. Sorry, I don't."

Him: "Don't you have a dollar in your wallet?"

Me: "No... I don't have any money on me today."

Him: "Oh. I kind of wanted to win an animal and give it to that lady."

Me: "You did? Why?"

Him: "Because it's Christmas."

Me: "That's a great idea, buddy. If I had momey I'd let you do it."

Him: "Okay... no problem."