“Oh, dear! Another item gets the ‘Chananya treatment,’” groaned Naftali

M

oishy and Miriam loved talking to their big sister Bracha on the phone. Bracha lived in Yerushalayim with her husband, Naftali, and little boy, Chananya. The Morrises missed them terribly.

The children enjoyed hearing about Chananya. He was busy all day doing important stuff like emptying pot drawers and cabinets.

At least two or three times during each phone call, Bracha would say, “Chananya, no! Don’t pull the tablecloth!” or “Chananya, no! Don’t touch Daddy’s papers!”

Quiet would reign for two minutes. Then it was, “Chananya! No!” all over again.

Bracha ordered childproof locks for the kitchen cabinets. A peaceful week followed. Chananya played with toy cars instead of pots and pans.

But then Chananya discovered telephones. It started with a toy cell phone sent by Mrs Morris. Chananya walked around with it, pretending to jabber away. But then one day Naftali couldn’t find his real cell phone. He discovered that Chananya had somehow grabbed it. It was smeared with ketchup, and Naftali couldn’t get it to work.

“Oh, dear! Another item gets the ‘Chananya treatment,’” groaned Naftali.

“Nanya,” echoed the little boy. He was sure Daddy was giving him a compliment. He reached out for the phone. “More!” he demanded, but Naftali whisked it away.