Forest Mentors

Rowan: Dad, animals don't go to school in real life. Do they?

Me: Real life?

Rowan: Like, in the forest. They don't go to school, do they?

Me: No.

Rowan: (pause)

Me: How do you think they learn?

Rowan: From their Moms and Dads?

Me: How else?

Rowan: I don't know.

Me: How else would they learn how to do things?

Rowan: From their sisters and brothers.

Me: And who else would they learn from?

Rowan: Their friends. Maybe they learn from the older animals.

Me: What would they learn, do you think?

Rowan: I don't know.

Me: Want to go to the forest and see if we can find out?

Rowan: Yeah! (pause) Now? (pause) What about school?