Sunday in the Park --Bel Kaufman

“Of course,” she repeated.

One hour after they arrived home and the parents were thinking about how disrespectful was the
man and they were worried about the young boy’s education.
Larry was not upset anymore and ate his dinner without saying a word, then he went to sleep
earlier than usual because he was so tired after the time spent at the playground and the long
walk home.
Morton and his wife stayed at the table for another couple of hours drinking some wine and
talking, when she said:
“I appreciate so much the fact that you did not argue with that man. I think you taught our son a
very important lesson: a smart man would never low himself to such a bad mindset”
“Thank you. But I think you taught him a lesson too. A good mother would never let his child be
disrespected, and she will protect him anytime she has the chance.”
Two days after, the family went in the same park, and Larry was enjoying a sunny day in the
sandbox. His parents were so proud of him because his castles were getting better and better. But
something happened, and Morton got up quickly from the bench; Joe was there and destroyed
Larry`s castle. His mother was so upset and she was searching the other bench for Joe`s father,
when she heard Larry saying:
“ It`s ok, Joe, we can be friends and play together if you want; I have a lot of toys and we can
share them and make a very big castle!”
Joe was so confused, he expected to see Larry crying, but the idea seemed pretty interesting to
him, especially for his toys.
“Ok” he said.
The three parents looked at each other and started to smile.
“I am sorry for the other day, but my kid is always set aside because of his weight, and I`m
trying to protect him with my better ways; but now I think I am overprotecting him”
Morton, for a few seconds, saw behind this strong man a different person: a good dad who is just
trying to do the best for his son and then said:
“It`s ok, sir, we totally understand. Do you want to take a seat? Let`s see what can they really do
with that sand!