Level Three. Asking a Question.

Level Three – Asking a Question.

By Michelle Lloyd.

When he thought about it, how was an interesting question. Little Herbert liked it though because it usually came with an explanation behind it… for example if he needed to understand the finer workings of a mode of transport and how it got him to where he had to be, then he could read up about the history of vehicles. If he liked a particular time from history then a quick bit of research would often given him an insight not only about what people did but also what their motivation for doing so was and it intrigued him. Progress appeared to have a good association with questions.

How was a question that Little Herbert used often, loud and proud, was he in acquainting himself with explanations about this or that.

It was on one outing that Little Herbert decided to raise the How question and he chose a bit of an odd time to do it. Out was he with his Dad and when on seeing someone on crutches, struggling somewhat, he needed an explanation for it. Out came he with a most loudly phrased question for a certain someone who had been with him. Why was that person not walking like they were and how had he come to be on those crutches?

Little Herbert’s Dad had always been most forthcoming with answers as for how but in this particular instance, the how was not followed by a quick or lengthy response. Usually Little Herbert felt that his Dad and himself bonded over a bit of detailed explanation, but not this time.

Instead of answering Little Herbert he made some very odd and strange noises as if he was going to start to speak or cough, but then ended up simply shaking his head again and again. Little Herbert could not work out what was going on so he asked his question of how once again, only this time a little louder just in case his Dad had not properly understood him. This time many people turned to look at them and Little Herbert believed they may also want to hear an explanation as for how but while this was plausible what happened next was a mystery to him as his Dad rushed him, rather rudely he thought, out of their earshot.

It was only when they were safely situated in a more private and less populated place that Little Herbert’s Dad proceeded with an answer of sorts. He explained that a lot of things could have happened and caused that person to need crutches but it was not polite to draw attention to it. There were some examples of how that he might not fully appreciate the implications of and sometimes he should place compassion for someone else’s feelings in front of the knowing of how or why.

It was a lot for Little Herbert to take in and certainly the explanation was more than what his usual questions of how received. It had been an education though and while Little Herbert’s learning had improved his knowledge on how he might need to vary his fact finding status, he also felt that he had gained insight of a different kind.