Nightmares Courtesy of Disney...and her mother

To say that Annie's mind is a fascinating thing is a bit of an understatement. It goes quickly in directions I would never anticipate. She quickly can assess situations and understands more than I would ever imagine. But it's all through the lens of a 3.5 year old, so it can be a somewhat precarious trip.


We used to watch movies in silence. No questions, no comments. I am not even sure if she was paying attention, but rather just admiring the pretty colors and shapes on the TV.


No more.


We were watching Tarzan yesterday morning, because we wanted to see if the parents in Tarzan were the same as the parents who were lost at sea in Frozen (long story).


If you will recall, the shipwrecked family of the boy that will become Tarzan builds themselves a nice little tree fort and all is well until a pesky leopard (who is much more frightening looking than I recall...I would post a pic but I am terrified of Disney copyrights) comes and kills them dead. Tarzan somehow miraculously hides/escapes. He is found in the now-destroyed hut by a mama gorilla. Here's how it went:


A: Where are his mommy and daddy? (chin quivering, me sensing this might not be a good idea)
K: well, they died. The mama gorilla is going to save the baby.
A: Save the baby from what?
K: Well the leopard, like the ones we saw at the zoo, killed the mommy and daddy (firmly aware this is going off the rails at this point)
A: Why the zoo monster kill his mommy and daddy?
K: Some animals, like this leopard, eat other animals, that's how nature works.


three seconds for this to sink in.


A: ZOO MONSTERS EAT BABIES????? (full on tears instantly flowing)


I expect our next trip to the zoo to be a real treat, that is, if Annie ever has any desire to run the risk of being a snack for a zoo monster.