The Lawnmower - A True Story

By Janet Smith - the inexperienced grandmother

It was an innocent purchase at a neighborhood garage sale. Just $5 for a faded and somewhat battered toy lawnmower that captivated a 20 month-old little boy. The other grandmother said “no, it’s broken, see?” But the boy would not be deterred. The offer of “Creemees” was insufficient to distract him from this purchase. He would have it or nothing. The less experienced grandmother caved and bought it and the little boy triumphantly pushed it noisily all the way home.

It had a pull starter, a knob that turned endlessly, and when he pushed it, it made a gawd-awful clack, clack, clack sound that would drive any adult crazy. He loved it. He mowed the lawn, the street, and the driveway. When it was hidden away in the garage, he searched until he found it. It was impossible to lose. And when it disappeared for the winter it became all the more precious upon rediscovery in the spring.

And now there’s another 20 month old boy who adores that same lawnmower that just won’t quit. He pulls the starter, turns the knob endlessly and pushes it all over the house, the lawn and the driveway. But the one who’s almost four still passionately loves that lawnmower. And the fact that the little one does as well makes it all the more precious. Arguments ensue. Sharing a lawnmower isn’t easy.

In fact, it’s been noted that neighborhood children have similarly been drawn to this noisy, somewhat derelict toy and internecine fights have broken out. Grandpa has suggested that it must be taken to the edge of the world and thrown off (see “The Gods Must Be Crazy”).

The other day the older boy (“the owner”) was seen pushing the lawnmower clear across town to the playground with his uncle. No one is sure why he needed to take it with him, but one theory is that it prevented the little one from playing with it.

On the one hand, perhaps the grandma who bought the lawnmower didn’t understand what she was starting and should learn from her mistake. On the other hand, how many toys have come and gone in the last two years, but this one has endured. How can that be a bad thing? (except for the fights) Just look how much joy that $5 lawnmower has brought.