Paleontologist

I think it's foolish that he thinks the little girl wouldn't know what the word means! Back in the Fifies, my parents taught me how to read by using the Little Golden Book titled "Then & Now", which is about prehistoric reptiles and dinosaurs. Later, they gave me a book by Roy Chapman Andrews, after which I was determined to study this subject.

So, when people would ask 4-year-old me (a girl) what I wanted to be when I grew up, suggesting "Mommy, teacher or nurse", I would tell them, "I'm going to be a paleontologist and go to the Gobi Desert and work with Roy Chapman Andrews." My parents said that I generally was met by a stunned expression, and they wondered how many of the adults understood. I have to admit that they didn't have the heart to tell me that I would be many years too late for my ultimate goal. To this day, RCA is at the top of my heroes list; what a thrill it was to find out that he is the inspiration for Dr. Henry "Indiana" Jones, Jr.!

In closing, I'd say that practically all children love dinosaurs, so it seems strange if she didn't know the word/profession.

Or, was I just a very weird child?



(W)hat are we without our dreams?
Making sure our fantasies
Do not overpower our realities. ~ RC