I’ve just had a flashback.
My darling daughter, who is just about to turn four years old, asked for a cup of “cold water” – which means it needs to be from the refrigerator, not the tap. I filled her cup halfway, and stood aside and observed her drink some, them pour the rest into the sink. She then announced that she would like some more water.
And I caught myself saying the same thing my parents said to me.
Naturally, I asked her why she had poured out the rest of her water, if she wanted more? I helpfully said that it is not good to waste water. And the whole time I said it, I remembered that I did the same thing.
I don’t remember exactly how old I was – maybe her age, probably a little older (after all, she has to be smarter at her age than I ever was at that same age). I drank water, and poured the last little bit into the sink, then refilled the cup. And my wise parents saw it, and asked me why I was wasting the water. If I was still thirsty, I should drink the rest.
Thanks, mom and dad, for teaching me to do right!