(I’m explaining the saying ‘You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar’ to my 9-year-old son.)
Me: “You can get more nice things if you act sweet than if you are sour and nasty.”
Son: “Oh, so the honey is like if I act sweet.”
Me: “Right!”
Son: “And vinegar is if I am being sour and nasty?”
Me: “You got it!”
Son: “And the flies are nice things?”
Me: “Um. I guess so.”
Son: “Why are flies nice things?”
Me: “Um…”
Son: “Who wants to catch flies, anyway? Don’t you want them to go away?”
(I think all he learned is that idioms are stupid!)
via Funny & Unusual Family Stories – Not Always Related
http://notalwaysrelated.com/thats-a-fly-in-the-ointment/23079