THE Planned Trap

Last year (pictured to the side), as our uncelebrated St. Patrick's Day was coming to an end, I found Meg outside carefully lining up the wrappers of her few gold coin candies. She insisted that she'd make a trap to catch a leprechaun. I insisted the little men in green come but once a year and that my salad spinner taken from the kitchen would not remain set up until next March. Since then, she has continually thought through ways to create a perfect trap. She's been very excited for St. Patrick's day to come back around..

Beyond my help rounding up cartons as they were emptied, it was all Meg! She drew out the details in her journal yesterday. She braved the torrential Spring rains to gather twigs for the needed ladders. She set up the line and explained her reasoning in detail: "...after he grabs that he climbs up and he lands on this sponge right here...and then he walks and he sees this leprechaun that has a green hat and he knows that there is gold then...and then he can jump on here and get up or climb up there...then he'll be up here and he'll get trapped in there, he'll fall down 'cause he sees this gold...I would play with the leprechaun and keep this for his house..." If only a wee little friend would perfectly run such an obstacle course!

Although this day of green is not my favorite, I followed Meg's lead and kept the magic in it (why not celebrate a holiday when a visiting character can work as a bribe for children to go to sleep quickly the night before?). After all the arranging was complete and she lay in bed, I couldn't help but smile when she asked if I thought the leprechaun would bring his tiny fishing pole. If so, her thought-out plan would certainly be spoiled, since he could dangle the line into the final container and fetch out the gold! We'd have to wait and see...

This morning brought two pairs of pattering feet to my bedside. Meg gave the report that the leprechaun was NOT smart enough to bring his fishing pole, but that he must have shook the bottle side to side and knocked it to the ground. Next year we'll have to have the last box something that can't move. She was alright that her potential friend to keep was replaced with a pile of green treats and chocolate gold coins. As expected, Paige was wondering where her pile of goods were. After a closer reading of the inch-wide note, Meg realized she was to share with little sister and brother. Although Meg easily shared, Paige decided that she wants to make her own trap next year!