Over dinner that night Mrs. Fun saw the funny side.

When she stood to get second helpings, Mr. Fun reached

for her arm and held on. “Mrs. Fun,” he said,

“Most of the work in this family falls on you because I am blind,

without you all would be lost . . . you are our golden helper.”

Mrs. Fun blushed and went to the stove.

“But you don’t know what golden means!”

The words floated around Little Weng’s head

as he fell asleep that night.

Moments like this between parents

give children the courage they will need to watch them die.