My daughter adopted three big snails a couple of weeks ago. They were not her first pets, she once had three chickens, two rabbits, two goldfish, and even several ladybirds at different stages. Anyway she showed proper enthusiasm for them at the beginning and took really good care of those worming creatures. She even showed some sadness when one of them died of no reason at all. She was even kinder to the other two for a few more days before her father made a big mistake.

   One evening after supper, the three of us were taking a walk in the small garden in our neighborhood, my husband casually asked my girl :" Would you like a baby cat? Uncle Liu told me the mother cat of his just gave birth to four babies." My daughter showed immediate zest for such a piece of good news. " Yes, dear daddy, do ask uncle Liu for a cat, I would love it very very much." The following part of our walk was totally occupied by talking about cat. She consulted us for a good name for her future pet. I suggested "flower" if it has stripes on its body, my hubby said Xiaohu, a tiny tiger would suit it more if that was the case. My girl listened to us seriously.

   When we were home, I turned on my computer and called out to my daughter, "Honey, go and wash your snails then put some fresh food for them. After that take your bath and go to bed early. Be a good girl, mum will do some reading and writing here." I soon was deep in my reading and forgot her and her snails.

    When I heard her approaching me from behind my chair quietly, I thought she was ready for a good night kiss, so I said without turning round my head," finished your bath?"

    "Not yet, dear mum, " she gently touched my cheeks with her soft hands. " I want to discuss something with you."  

   "Uh? What is it? " turning round, I found an enticing smile on her face.  
  
   " I will have a small cat soon, you know, " she said in a matter-of-fact way, "So I think I will have to give my snails to you, mum, " she said appealingly," Can you look after them for me?    

    I began to know what was behind that sweet smile she spread on her face for me, uhm, so the fresh excitement over her snails was finally over. I decided to take this chance to teach her a lesson of responsibility .

   " Honey, did you once say you would look after them just like they were  your children? You can not abandon them just because you will have new pets. You see, mum cooks for you, washes your clothes for you, sends you to school...... I do it because you are my responsibility, and these snails are yours. Don´t you think so?" I tried to look earnest and maybe, a little serious.

   " Yes, mum, but My teacher says each mother can only have one child, or she will be violating the law."

   "So what has this law to do with you, dear? " I raised my brows suspiciously.

    "I can not have both the snails and the cat, you silly mum, or I am violating the law."

    My hubby was beside me at his computer and he had been watching and listening to us with an interested expression there. At this, he burst of soaring laughters. I smiled too.

    Seeing both of us amused, my girl smiled slyly too,"What´s more, mum, you are the snails´ granny, should not a granny be responsible for caring for her grandchildren?"  

   See what a promotion I have got!