The Princess Bride Analogy

I now have two children in school. Rori goes all day to first grade and Liam is gone in the mornings at pre-school. People have asked me how it is with just one child at home in the mornings. Understandably, they would assume that things are easier, that I get more done. This, however, is not the case. The best way I can explain it, it by using a Princess Bride analogy. I believe that most things in life can be explained with a Princess Bride analogy. Ok, not really, but let's pretend it is the case.

Anywhoo, if you have only seen the movie, you may not have been able to understand what Fezzik is saying whilst Westley is wrestling with him. However, upon reading the book, that part becomes quite clear. Below is the conversation that transpires between Fezzik and Westley AKA the Man in Black.

FEZZIK

I just feared you would give me so much trouble.

THE MAN IN BLACK
Why is that, do you think?

FEZZIK
Well, I haven't fought just one person for so long ... [struggling] ... I've been specializing in groups - fighting gangs for local charities, that kind of thing.

THE MAN IN BLACK
Why should that make such a ... difference?

FEZZIK
[Slowing down] You see, you use different moves when you're fighting half a dozen people, than when you only have to worry about one.

FEZZIK falls to the ground, unconscious. THE MAN IN BLACK checks to see if he is still alive.


Now, this is how the scene looks at my house.
MAMA
Brendan, I just figured out why you are running me ragged.
Mama is in the laundry room putting clothes into the washer

BRENDAN
Why is that mama?
Brendan climbs to the top of Rori's dollhouse MAMA exits the laundry room and gasps

MAMA
Get down right now! Well, I haven't taken care of just one person for so long ... [struggling to get Brendan's foot out of the dollhouse window] ... I've been specializing in groups - taking care of you and your siblings and the neighbor girl that won't leave. You all tattle on each other, so no one does anything crazy.
MAMA folds laundry and Brendan grabs the cats tail and then sticks his fingers in the dogs mouth. MAMA stops folding laundry

MAMA
Leave the dog and cat alone!
MAMA resumes folding laundry while Brendan puts the vacuum attachments together so they are like a sword


BRENDAN
Why should that make such a ... difference?
WHACK! Brendan is much too small for his makeshift sword and accidentally gets MAMA in the head.



MAMA
[Slowing down] You see, you use different moves when you're taking care of half a dozen people, than when you only have to worry about one.

MAMA falls to the ground, unconscious. BRENDAN checks to see if she is still alive and then scurries off to his next act of destruction.

End Scene.