Politeness Helps

James came downstairs exasperated about the amount of homework he still had left to do.   He had been working in his room for quite sometime and complained, "I have so much homework!  I've been up there for an hour and I still have more to do!"  I asked him, "What do you have left?"    He answered, "I still have to do 'writing'.  I hate 'writing'!"  Trying to buoy his spirits, I said, "But you're so good at it.  You always write such great stories and funny comics at home."  He said, " Yes, at home.  But whenever I have  to write for school, it says 'explain'."  With a slight crack in his voice, he softly said, "I hate that."  Before I could offer my sympathy and advice, he said, "Explain!  Explain!  They could at least say please explain."  With that, he went back to his room and completed his homework.  I guess all he wanted from his writing assignment instructions was a little courtesy.   (2/8/12)