Don't Know Much About History

(1) Anna and I are walking to preschool. Anna asks:
"Mommy, what was the city like before it was ready?"

Before it was ready? For what? A west side stadium? Congestion pricing for motorists?
"Before it was ready for people. You know, when there were no buildings or streets or taxis and just subway tunnels but no trains?"

Ah. I told her there were forests. And grass. And animals. But no 'Central Park'. I relayed the classic 'Dutch Swindling the Indians out of Manhattan circa 1600' story.

(Love her assumption that subway tunnels are naturally occurring geological formations, by the way. They certainly do look ancient.)

Anna's follow-up:
"Hmmm... can you say a little about Earth's atmosphere?"
Anna is very interested in the Earth's atmosphere. Not sure how it relates to subway tunnels, though.

(2) Last week was Halloween. We lit some Jack-O-Lanterns using matches. Evidently Anna was impressed with the new and exciting technology that was involved.
"Mommy, before there were candles were there lights?"