"OK, you can take the balloon outside but don't let go of the ribbon or it will fly away."
Why I thought these woulds would prevent the inevitable from happening, I do not know. Because, well, the inevitable happened.
The pink balloon went skywards.
Whether the balloon jumped or was pushed by the well-directed elbow of an older brother, we shall never know (although we have our suspicions). But up it went, into the clouds, and for a small, three-year-old-boy, this was a tragedy of epic proportions. "Waaaahhhhhh," he wailed, "Waaaahhhhhh, my balloooooooooooon."
I couldn't do much, other than offer a sympathetic shoulder to cry on and a packet of sweets from the emergency stash (oh, who am I kidding they come out at least four times a day). I did attempt to console him by fabricating a story about lost balloons finding their way to little boys and girls who don't have a balloon - but this only caused more distress as he pointed out, "Waaaaahhhhh, but I'm a little boy who doesn't have a balloon."
Fair point.
So I conclude that there must be, for times like this, a balloon heaven, where all the balloons which have been inadvertently let go by small hands hang out and lead a happier life. Maybe the burst ones go there too? Perhaps. I like to think so anyway.
R.I.P pink balloon, we will glance to the heavens and remember you always.
Oh, what a funny/sad story. I feel his pain.
ReplyDeleteMy friend sailed the Pacific Ocean from LA to Brisbane, and about 50km from the Californian coast they sailed through a huge sea of deflated helium balloons. THAT'S where the balloons end up. What a world. He should have held onto the string.
Ha ha - outsmarted by a 3 year old. Now that is sad.
ReplyDeletehi, hope you don't mind i tagged you for the save the children meme. the details are on my page.
ReplyDeleteI liked you quick thinking shame your son was far too clever :) Great story x
ReplyDeleteAwww. Awful when that happens. We have a large green balloon in balloon Heaven too ;)
ReplyDeleteOh I have an emergency stash too but wasn't going to tell anyone..sweets always seem to help dry the tears..my emergency stash is of course carrot sticks:)
ReplyDeleteHahaha, the same happened to us a few months back and even now my daughter still comments about "my balloon blow away".
ReplyDeleteI think helium balloons blowing away is in the same crying category as ice cream cones being dropped.
I love how he foxed you with his comeback! x
So funny- just saw this today after being at a picnic where there were many balloons floating up and out of reach.
ReplyDelete