The other night, I was teaching at the women's college and so Monstro had charge of the boy, who wanted to watch Raffi. We only have a Raffi videotape so Monstro had to switch the cables from the DVD to the VCR and set the television accordingly. Whenever this changeover happens, the words “Hi-Fi” appear on-screen.

“Fi,” the boy said.

Monstro wheeled around. “What did you say?”

“Hi-Fi,” said the boy.

Dumbfounded, Monstro pointed and said, “what's that letter?”

“Eff!” he said.

I came home at nine that night. “How old were you when you started reading?” Monstro asked.

“Two-something,” I said. “Why?”

“Because your son can read!” he told me.

Pretty cool new trick, huh? Thank you, Sesame Street!