Do you think your little child is too young to be taught important lessons? She is learning all the time, even when she doesn’t appear to be paying attention. Consider this item that appeared in the newspaper 25 years ago when we were living in Montreal.

A diabetic mother was worried what would happen if she fell into a diabetic coma while her husband was at work. She tried to teach her three year old daughter how to call 911 for help. She explained and demonstrated several times, but the little girl didn’t appear to comprehend and the mother decided she was just too young.

One day it happened. The mother lost consciousness. The little girl tried to awaken her, then went to the phone, picked up the receiver and pushed the buttons 9-1-1. When someone answered she said “Bobo maman, bobo maman” (Mommy owie, Mommy owie). Then she set the receiver down, unlocked the front door and stood by the window to wait for help to arrive.

First came a police car, then a fire engine and then an ambulance. All with personnel trained to help in such emergencies. One of them called the father, but by the time he arrived home his wife was awake and recovered. Thanks to a little girl who really was listening.