There’s an American television series, called Heroes, which has recently captured the imagination of viewers everywhere. This series, as the name suggests, tells the story of a bunch of everyday people who suddenly discover that they have amazing super-powers, with which they are destined to save the world. Or at least die trying. Or something along those lines, anyway.
Among the characters are the guy who can fly, there’s the guy who can bend time, the high school cheerleader who can heal herself in a matter of seconds, and the invisible man, who has a bit of an attitude problem, but hey, wouldn’t you?
What I love about the series is that it makes you think… ‘what would I do if I had that power?’ Truth is, I wouldn’t want any of them, because none of these characters have the gift that I really wish I had. That is superpower my teenage nephew Frankie has…
Frankie possesses the amazing ability to always be right. Even when he’s wrong, he’s right. Even when you can actually see him doing wrong things wrongly with a wrongness that’s just wrongfully wrong… he’s right. And it is you, in fact, who is wrong. Consider the following conversation…
Frankie’s mum: Have you cleaned your room yet?
Frankie: No.
Frankie’s mum: But dear, I’ve been asking you to do it for three days now…
Frankie: When?
Frankie’s mum: Well, um… last night before you went out…
Frankie: Yes, but I was going out. You can’t expect me to do something just as I’m leaving the house. How can I clean my room when I’m out?
Frankie’s mum: Don’t be facetious, dear. I also asked you the day before. I can’t keep asking you every day…
Frankie: But that’s what you’ve been doing. For three days now!
Frankie’s mum: Well, I’m sorry, but…
Frankie: That’s alright. Don’t worry about it. See ya!
Frankie’s mum: Um… thank you?
See? Amazing!
The problem, of course, is that no one ever sits Frankie down to give him the telling off he deserves. Direct confrontation is never a pretty thing, but sometimes – just sometimes – Frankie and other mortals with similar powers need to be given a large dose of verbal Kryptonite, and told, in no uncertain terms, that until they figure out how to become invisible, they can keep the attitude in check. Here’s how…
The trick is to stick to your guns. No matter what the objections, excuses or reasons are, your main aim is to get what you want. Although, to be honest, don’t bother even trying it with Frankie. He’s always one step ahead…
Frankie’s mum: Frankie! I’ve had enough! I just can’t take it anymore! It’s been six weeks now! Clean your room!
Frankie: I have.
Frankie’s mum: Just do as you’re tol… um… what?
See? Amazing!
By Danny
Do you find it difficult to tell people what to do? Are you firm or soft? Add your comments!
