hard to believe

A couple of days ago my five year old brings me a box of chess pieces and says: "I know this is a game and I know it has rules. Can you teach me to play it?" I was reluctant. I tried the good old: "It's really a game for older kids, even adults. I don't think you can play it yet." And when that did not work, I tried the "It's a very, very hard game to learn..." And when he still persisted, I have to admit (with shame!) that I even tried to buy him off with "wouldn't you rather watch a movie?" But he was persistent! We sat down and talked about the rules. We played a few trial games. And I still had a hard time believing that he will remember the rules and be able to play. But some four days have passed now and believe it or not, my kid is playing chess! We have not turned the TV on in days. There is no more pleading requests for video games... The only game he is interested in playing is chess. He is even willing to teach Stella and patient enough to guide her through a game that she, most certainly, does not yet grasp. But she is learning, too. I'm just so very amazed! He's not good at it yet. No, no.... I'm not suggesting it's some super natural talent or some chess genius kind of a situation. But I'm just amazed that he understand the game on a basic level and has the patience to sit there and figure out, slowly and meticulously what moves he can make next and what moves I will make. If he continues like this, he might very well get very good at it, I bet!