Talking Animals

Today as we were leaving the house, I said "Goodbye, Sasha!" and closed the door.  "She didn't answer."  said Arianna.  "Dogs can't talk."

On the way home from running our errands, Arianna started to giggle.  "Mommy!  Mickey wears pants.  Isn't that silly?  Mouses don't wear pants!"  

I laughed.  "What?"  I asked. "Mice don't wear pants?  Are you sure?"

Arianna thought this conversation was hysterical.  "Mommy.  Animals don't wear clothes."

"Oh!  Oh my goodness, you're right!"  I exclaimed.

Arianna stopped laughing and was quiet for a few minutes.  "Animals don't talk."  She finally said.

"No, they don't."

"But Mickey can talk.  So Mickey's a people."  she rationalized.

"No, Mickey Mouse is a mouse."  I answered.  "Do you think Mickey is a special mouse who talks and wears clothes?"

"No.  He's a people."  Arianna said decisively.  "With a tail."