We speak now of the brilliance of the child. The adults charged with his care and instruction are in turn overwhelmed, frustrated, baffled and amused. Is it better to dim the blinding light – shutter – control – contain, or should one let it shine? Release the lambent humor, the distinctive speech, and the radiant thoughts and try to absorb the glow. Potentially suffer the anguish, albeit unintentional, of careless burns. We speak of the long and short consequences, of pain now or pain later. For the well-meaning adults and also for the child whose adulthood is but a few short years away.
Mind of a Mouse 