Tingfinder
“By the way, where is the blue rucksack?” my husband asks as we drive to his office after school drop-off.
“Not sure. Why?” I ask suspiciously.
“I almost forgot..the small pot with the bird skull and the two dried out frogs the boys found at the skate park last weekend is in there somewhere.”
“Right. I shall look for it when I get back,” I say, trying not to sound too disgusted and think to myself, it should not be too difficult. All I will need to do is close my eyes and follow the smell. We went to the park last Saturday and today is Thursday!
Oooh, the joy of parenting not just one but three “Tingfinder(s)”. ‘Tingfinder’ it is the Danish word for “a person who is good at finding useful or interesting things, for example in nature or when visiting markets and recycling stations” according to ordbogen.com. Most parents will probably recognise this trait in their young Children. The skill for finding and the urge to pick up and collect anything they come across and wherever they go. Depending on their age, perhaps also stick it in their mouth, be it a rusty old nail, a dead bug, a broken toy, carelessly discarded by a previous owner or any other sort of rubbish. “One man’s trash is another child’s treasure”. Isn’t that what they say..?
There is a slight downside, I must admit, to encouraging your kids to study and appreciate the Animal Kingdom. You will find they have a hard time parting with it when you think it is time to do so. I wonder if there is a word for the feeling of “sticking your hand into the side pocket of a bag and pulling it out quickly with a squeal to find it covered in crusty, nearly pulverised cicada cases?” It is NOT an unfamiliar feeling in our household.
Neither is the smell of a dead slug that has been stuck in an airtight container and left in the front garden for a few days too many. We do put a lot of effort into teaching our kids respect for all living things and they really do behave responsibly the majority of time. Even ants are sacred and will be carried safely outdoor, unless they have found their way to my breakfast plate before I’ve had my morning coffee, that is.
Anyway. It is time for me to go look for what not the cat but the son has brought to my “doorstep” this time and find out what state of decay I shall have to deal with.
