Running errands last night, my four year old son and five year old daughter sat strapped in their car seats chatting and enjoying the night sky, as they are apt to do. I allowed my mind to wander for just a second while I navigated our van into the most prime parking spot outside TJ Maxx. I knew I was in trouble when I heard Navin’s voice. I suddenly wished I had been paying more attention to their conversation, or at very least paid more attention in science class.
He was clearly annoyed at having to repeat himself. “Mom, is the moon following us or are we following the moon?”
“Well. That’s a tough one, buddy. I use to wonder the same thing when I was little…”
“Well,” he interrupted me, “if the Earth revolves around the sun, then that means we are following the moon.”
“That sounds reasonable enough to me.” I started my wrestling match with Navin’s arms and the car seat straps.
“Actually, the Earth revolves around the Sun, but the moon revolves around the Earth,” my daughter, Bani, chimed in. “So, that means the Moon is following us.”
“Well, that sounds reasonable too, and you’re both kind of right, but it has to do with…”
“Look, Mom,” Bani said abruptly, “I am five, now, and I know a thing or two about Astronomy, and I’m right!”
The three of us piled out of the car in silence and made our way into the store. The moon, shining down, obediently followed.
