Nobody Ptolemy The Way To The Library

I was in the magazines and periodicals section of the library and noticed a boy, not more than 3 or 4 years old, perched comfortably on a chair, with a big book spread out on his little lap. He appeared to be studying a map. His fingers were tracing the lines on the map and with a serious, studied look, he said softly to no one in particular, "there we are".

A 3 year-old reading a map? All hail the New Male of the Species, I thought to myself. This one doesn't have to stop at gas stations to ask for directions. Not because he doesn't want to, but because he doesn't need to. (The downside? He and his future wife will have very little to talk about when driving to a dinner engagement.)

Then, a couple of minutes later, the boy's father sat down next to him with a bunch of books in his hand. Before the father could even open a book, the boy asked him very coolly "Dad, can we go to the library?"