The Threat

Our 13 year old niece spent last night with us.  When we dropped her off at home, my sister-in-law asked how she behaved.  "She was an angel," I informed her.

"Really?" she questioned.
"Yes, really.  A perfect angel."  I assured her.

"I just don't understand.  Whenever she is with you she is well behaved.  Whenever she is at home, she is a monster.  She misbehaves for everyone else.  In fact, the teachers at her school drew straws to see who would be stuck with her in their class.  How come she always behaves for you?"  My sister in law asked.

"I don't know.  I guess I just have a way with children.  I also try to educate them as well.  A child is never to young to learn."  I answered.

"What do you mean.  What did you teach her?" She inquired.

"Well, for instance, children need to learn about death and dying so they better understand this process.  I explained this concept very carefully to her."  I informed my sister-in-law.

"Really?  You explained this to her at 13?"  She asked dumbfounded.

"Well actually she was much younger when I explained this.  She now understands death perfectly.  Which is good, because it makes threatening her with it, much more effective."