The only domestic situations We know about (first hand) are Mom & Tot. As the Tot starts the odyssey from Tothood to Youthhood-and-Beyond, things can get confusing. Mom’s authority is brought into question. Independence is always the result of lengthy negotiation on a two-way street.

The Youngster, seeking breathing space, can become obstreperous, also a pain in the neck. For some reason there is limited pleasure to be had from having one’s errors constantly addressed.

The resolution of these frictions almost always involves a lot of Harrumphing for both parties. Dramatic body-language solutions come into play. In the Wild, there are no doors to slam, so kicking up grass and snorting must substitute.

Fortunately, being vegetarians, Nature already made our teeth for grinding, if you see what We mean.

(see December 8, 2014)