Jump Right In

A little boy went to stay the night with a friend and ate supper with their family. Before they ate, the boy bowed his head and waited for the blessing to be said. But everyone started helping themselves to the food and he looked back up, puzzled.
"What's wrong, why aren't you eating?" asked his friend's mom.
The boy, who had been taught to give thanks, asked, "Don't you pray at meals?"
The father said they didn't.
"Oh, I see," said the lad, "You're just like my dog- -you start right in!"
Originally published November 14, 2002.