Paul Fletcher Murray's Page

I was visiting my grandchildren for the first time. They were adopted. They were quite forthright in making known their needs to whatever adult was in a 25 yard radius.

As their new grandfather I wondered how I could foster a loving relationship while still guiding them to more civil, social graces.

I had no solution. Then suddenly, I heard myself announcing to them, "I will be glad to get you whatever you wish. You simply have to precede your requests with 'O Exalted One....'." They paused. They thought. I won.

'O Exalted One' became their standard beginning of sentences addressed toward me.

That is except for the youngest, who was, I believe, 18 months at the time.

He called me "O Salted One."

But his heart was in the right place.