Tom, does your throat hurt?
Yes.
OK. Do you want to get better?
Yes.
OK. We want you to get better, too. You'll have your tonsils out tomorrow, and you won't get so many colds any more.
But if I have my tonsils out tomorrow, I'll miss my birthday party on Saturday.
I know. It's a problem, isn't it? Let me try to work something out.
What?
I have to think about it.
You're joking with me.
Oh, I'm not, Tom. Give me a chance to think about it, and I'll get a new idea.
A surprise?
Maybe. But you just put on your clothes, and I'll think of a surprise.
Will it hurt?
No. There are other boys and girls, and they are having tonsils out. When we get there, you'll see them operated courageously.
I don't want to.