Ice Cream

Four year old Henry tugged on his Mom’s arm.  Please, please can we get some ice cream?  Yes, yes his older brother smiled.  I’ll help Henry decide.  The ice cream truck stopped in front of their house just as the discussion was going on “What flavor do you want?  What are you gonna have?”  Henry said peering into his brother’s eyes, looking to see what would be the best choice.  “Chocolate, I want chocolate, mama!”  He was so glad his brother was there to help him decide.  He wondered how his older brother always seemed to know what to do.  Choosing ice cream; deciding what to play when they were bored.   How did he do that?

            Henry and his brother scanned the choices of ice cream displayed on the truck.  Okay, I want chocolate but which chocolate?  Henry continued to observe his bother’s reactions.  This was important stuff.  Finally his brother said “That one!”.  He pointed to the chocolate cone with syrup topping with nuts showered over the top.  “Me too!” Henry shouted.  “Okay boys!” the ice cream man responded.  He handed the cones and collected the money from their Mom.  It was a hot day.  Henry could feel the cone’s coldness turning into wet little droplets in his hand.  He carefully tugged at the top paper to get it off, exposing the syrup and nuts at the top of the cone.  Finally, his tongue reached the sweet mixture as he tore off the rest of the cone with his other hand.  This was the right choice.  He could feel it.  But how did his brother Ryan know how to pick the right one?  Did somebody tell him?  Did he think it up himself?  Henry’s thoughts and taste buds focused back to the cone.  This tasted really good.  Oh well, I wonder if I’ll be able to make these kind of choices when I get older?  Boy, does this cone taste good!  He sat next to his brother licking the cone.  His older brother was almost to the bottom of the cone.  He still had a whole half.  He smiled to himself.