Reading Dicken's "A Christmas Carol" to My Children explaining a Christmas carol to children

This sketch is about trying to read Charles Dickens book, "A Christmas Carol" to my two children.

The incident never really happened but I thought it had the ring of truth and that some young parents out there might enjoy it.

For parents it can be frustrating to explain to children a simple story.

“Old Marley was as dead as a door nail.”

“What’s a doornail/?” my seven-year-old daughter asked.

“Well, a doornail is…” I started to explain.

“Geez, your dumb, Elise,” eleven year old Mark declared…

“I’m not either dumb. Mom says dumb means you can’t talk.”

“Well, you sure like to talk,” Mark grumbled.

“Do you guys want to hear this story or don’t you?” I said.

“Yes…” Mark hissed. “If dum-dum stops interrupting.”

“She’s interested in words,” I offered, hoping to pacify the situation.

“You can say that again,” Mark said.

I started over. “Marley was dead…”

“Dad,” Elise tugged at my sleeve.

“What?”

“You didn’t answer my question.”

“What question?”

“About the doornail.”

“Geez Elise. Quit asking dumb question’” Mark chimed in.

“It’s not a dumb question, “Elise declared. “ I bet you don’t know what it is.”

“Sure I do”

“Well what is it?” she challenged.

“Don’t you know anything?” Mark countered.

I dug out the dictionary and read, “a large headed nail formerly used for strengthening or ornamenting doors.”

“Who cares about that?” Elise said.