At bedtime last night I told Elisa that I would read two stories, not more. The clever minx suggested that she also read two, one of which was Sleeping Beauty. She said that I should read the part of the witch. “Why?” I asked. “Because I can do children’s and grown-ups’ voices, but I can’t do witches”. She then demonstrated her child voice – high and squeaky, and her grown-up voice – which sounded exactly like her own.

                                                              
I wasn’t too thrilled at being designated the role of the witch, but luckily her appearances were few.  At least they were enjoyably dramatic

Elisa’s “reading” of the story was innovative, surreal and bore little resemblance to the original. The part which fascinated me most was where, according to Elisa, everybody fell asleep for a hundred years, including people who were already dead.

Sleeping Beauty was called “Elisa” and the prince, “Lukas” (her friend from kindergarten).

Before going to sleep, she asked me to translate words and sentences into French. I managed well but got stuck at “rainbow”. I looked it up so I could tell her in the morning: “Arc-en-ciel”.

During the night, she talked in her sleep: “I miss Lukas”, she lamented. I stroked her head and said: “Don’t worry, you’ll see him on Monday at kindergarten”.  At breakfast this morning I told her what she had said. She grinned. I suspect she might have a wee crush on this boy but I won’t probe. He sounds like a bit of a lad, and this seems to impress her.  I can relate. When I was her age, I was in love with the naughtiest boy in the school. Maybe, if she ever does confide in me, we can compare notes.