I want a nuclear powered wotsit, Dad,
And I think we should make it now -
And Oh, that’s Martin at the door,
He’s come round to play,
Perhaps we’d better wait another day -
But no! Dad! Can we make a machine instead,
A robot with arms and legs that maybe fires a missile,
I’ll have the scissors, you have the string -
Listen, you can make anything!
Dad – Dad! I want to go to the moon,
And I know this boy at school can do it,
Truly, honestly, believe me, he said so,
Can we make a rocket, Dad?
No, I don’t want to wait ’till I’m older,
I want to make it NOW! -
I want it and if not can I write a computer programme
(With you Dad, please?) that’ll speak and teach me things,
You always say the same, Dad -
Maybe tomorrow, maybe tomorrow!
Why can’t I make something interesting, Dad,
You’re too boring and I don’t want to play with Lego,
Please Dad, please! No I don’t want a treat -
…. Oh, alright then, yeah, I’ll have a cup of cocoa …
2005
Every parent will recognise the situation where the bored toddler thinks the parent can do anything, and asks for the moon, and is fobbed off – and then eventually bought off …
