Johnny's a big boy now

Johnny’s mother always took him with her when she went shopping at the nearest supermarket in the town. She’d explain what was happening as she chose the goods; paid her money and received any change due to her.

Then one day she was in a bit of a hurry and thought the boy was experienced enough by now to go on a simple shopping trip by himself.

“You’re a big boy now,” she said, “and I want you to go to the supermarket and buy me a pound of apples. Here’s some money and don’t forget to bring back the change.”

So let’s follow 7 year old Johnny on his first solo visit to the shops.

He sets of confidently on the familiar walk to the end of his road. Immediately he’s in danger! He has to cross the main road to get to the shop.

The traffic appears continuous to a small boy on his own. He’s not too sure what he should do. He walks towards the supermarket on his own side of the road, anxiously looking for a gap in the traffic.

Then he notices the pedestrian island in the middle of the road. Carefully looking each way just in case, he manages to cross the busy road, heaving a sigh of relief as he reaches the other side.

Once across the road he enters the supermarket. He remembers to pick up a wire basket and sets of happily towards the fruit displays.

But there’s a problem!

The people in the shop have changed the displays around and there are now flowers where the fruit used to be.

He looks round anxiously trying to find the fruit. Then he sees a lady who works in the shop. “Please miss can you show me where the apples are now?”

Fortunately all staff these days are trained to be helpful to customers, so she takes the little boy to the place where the apples are now kept.

Now he has another problem to solve. There are all sorts of different looking apples in the boxes. What kind of apples does his mother want? How many apples are there in a pound?

Johnny isn’t daft; he tries to remember how many apples mummy usually buys. Then he chooses 3 nice red ones to put in his basket and takes it to the till.

With the help of the lady cashier, he pays and receives his change before leaving the shop.

Now all he has to do is cross the road and take the apples home. But unknown to him danger is approaching. A boy of his own age is scooting along the pavement. He has his head down and is not looking where he’s going.

Johnny sees a lamp post nearby and hides behind it so that the boy will hit the lamp post before he hits Johnny.

Fortunately the other boy swerves at the last minute and now the pavement is clear until he reaches the crossing point. Fortunately the traffic has died down just as he gets there and it’s only a few seconds before he’s running for home.

His mother is waiting as he comes into the kitchen and looks at the apples he’s bought.

“Well done Johnny. Did you have any trouble getting them?”

“No Mummy,” he said proudly, “I’m a big boy now!”