Here are some
abstracts of recent decisions.
1. Elephant or no?
During sleepover, preschoolers A and Z were in A’s room for “talking,” a quiet time intended for winding down prior to bed. Conversation turned to recently rented cartoon movie, “Dumbo.” A remarked that “Dumbo is a cute little elephant.” In response, Z stated, flatly, “Dumbo is not an elephant.” Shocked by this, A replied, with some emphasis, to the effect that Dumbo certainly is anelephant. Z then repeated the assertion. A introduced into argument Dumbo’s trunk and elephant mother. For rebuttal, Z simply restated previous position, “Dumbo is not an elephant.” A called in counsel, who advised that since Z was the guest, why not let her say Dumbo is whatever she wants Dumbo to be? Outraged, A said again that Dumbo was an elephant, meanwhile beginning to cry and kick the side of her bed as Z, unmoved, looked on.
Court at first refused to hear the case. On reapplication, court ruled that it didn’t really matter what kind of animal Dumbo was, now please go to sleep. Decision upheld on appeal.
