I'm glad my little tale struck a chord. I've always thought the grandparents' role in the life of their grandchildren is to be a slightly subversive haven away from the everyday world - where we can gently contradict the parents' routines and offer a different slant on everything. When I'm telling stories or doing things with the kids, I always follow where they lead, and then go on where I can from there. That's why the tale told in a book can never be the same as the tale told sitting with me. There's a sharing of the story - which is never the same two times running - in which teller and listener explore together what might happen. From that comes the magic.

And, Spaw - you can sit on my lap any time - that goes for the Mudcat wimminz too...