The missing gene, uncovered

I've written of my gang before . . . the Spider Monkey's Lunch Forum. Here's this bit of baby monkey cuteness.

Several of the spider monkeys already have children. Several are waiting for the day to have their own. More or less, we regard all SMLF offspring mutual "baby monkeys."

One member of our gang has a daughter who is truly a 'mini-me' child. She literally is the spitting image of her mother. We have oft teased that monkey that her husband, clearly, contributed no DNA to the creation of that child.

Tomorrow, we are celebrating a Monkey Birthday. A 30th birthday at that! One thing we monkeys do particularly well is celebrate birthdays within the gang.

It is also field day for the local elementary school. So, the Mini-me monkey will join us for lunch after the field day activities are completed.

Her mother told her that she'd be joining us. The child was sad. Apparently, there is a picnic scheduled for after the field day. The mother said "but, the lady who does face painting is going to be there, and she's going to be making balloon animals." And the child still thought perhaps the picnic would be more fun. Then, the mother said, "but I already told your teacher I was going to sign you out."

At this, Mini-me brightened! "Sign me out?" she asked. "Yes, sign you out" her mother confirmed. Suddenly, the picnic held no attraction at all. And the child whispered "I've always wanted to be signed out."

When I heard this story, I knew what genes the father contributed. . . the nerd genes.