I think I've given my little buddy the will and desire to want to live and be happy, I hope. Not that he was planning to die at all.

But he knocked me out practically, when he asked the question and I felt compelled to answer him the best way that I know how to. I just couldn't ignore his question. Didn't think that would be right to do that, when I'm there to help him.

Whether he has ever experienced losing a friend or a family member, I don't know. He didn't say. I think I remember him telling me that he and his family lost a dog once.

He's also very inquisitive about things he doesn't already know about. It's good that he asks and wants to know.

We almost got into a conversation about the birds and the bees, but it was in relation to animals. The book that we were reading was about the different spieces of birds - part of his desire to learn about animals, and the book IS at his age level, 8. He knows that birds hatch from eggs and that the mother must sit on them to keep them warm.

But he's stuck on the part of "How do the eggs get inside the mother?", "Where do babies come from?" or "How was I born?" Not the one to leave him in the dark without going into deep personal explaination, I just said; "Well, it's kind of like when your mom and dad met each other. They found out that they love each other very much, then your sisters and yourself were born."

I DID mention offspring to him and of course he wanted to know what it meant as well. I told him that it means children, like himself and his sisters.

This kid has gotten so deep into my heart that it's great to be able to help him with certain things. Maybe he feels uncomfortable asking these questions at home, I don't know. I'm not trying to pry at all into his personal affairs at home though.

I only know what he tells me what happens at home, and it's all been good things, nothing bad. But I sure would like to meet his parents and let them know that they have a very gifted well-mannered and bright young boy who loves to read and talk a lot!!

I want them to know that this boy is really nice and respectful!! He's not at all like the two who once attacked me and wanted to beat me up!