Emily Aquilina - Noland Trail part deux

Since our assignment on the Noland Trail I have since returned to the park for several jogs. This past Saturday I was crossing over a bridge when I was forced to slow down to negotiate around a young family that was in the middle of the bridge. The father was on his knee scolding a young girl, five or six, who had apparently made an attempt at jumping into the water to "play with the turtles."
As I passed I heard the father warn her that there were sharks in the water and she had to be sure not to get too close. The sharks loved the taste of little girls and the only way to be safe was to stay in the middle of the bridge where she can't be smelt.
This reminded me of the story that Professor Redick told the class about his own daughter. Sometimes it is easier to make a point more real to a child by adding a level of mystery and magic to the situation. It was obvious in the face of the girl that she was not only scared but she was certainly not going to make another attempt at joining the turtles. It may be a lie but a lie with the best of intentions can prove the most loving thing one person can do for another person that they love.