"The Gift of Laughter" by Allan Sherman

This story is called “The Gift of Laughter,” wrote by Allan Sherman. It was a cute story where the son, Robert, wanted his dad, Allan, to approve his art. But Allan was mad because he was having a important conversation with his wife. Robert was very upset, and left to his bedroom. In the end, they both forgave each other.

I was impressed that Allan decided to stop his conversation to pick up the art picture. Then visiting his son to get Robert to forgive him and telling his son that he thought the art was wonderful. I fell in love at the part where Allan decided to go with hi son out of the house. That Allan is taking Robert to shopping to get frame, so Allan can get the art framed.

I think the title of this story relates to Allan’s childhood where his family laughed. Also Allan’s mother laughed when Allan thought that his grandma needed football while she actually wanted was a fruit bowl. His childhood was full of laughter.

How come Allan was so stressed out that Robert was screaming? It seemed that his son always are noisy. When I read the part where grandma has a deep Yiddish accent, I wondered where exact in the foreign country was she from? I wonder which parts in the story does the “Gift” in the title applies to? I could not find it.

I totally understood the 13^th-22^nd lines on page 31. I could understand how Robert felt because I cry all the time and having hard time to stop. For example, when I was little girl, I got in trouble because of my friend. She is at Gallaudet University too, and I have known her for 13 years. She got me in trouble and this made the houseparent to place me in my dorm bedroom for time-out. When I was placed in my bedroom, I cried a lot. I attempted to stop crying. But I couldn’t because every time I think about me being in trouble, I cry. So I could relate to that part very well.

I also can relate to where Robert gave the art to Allan just because Allan is his father. I drew a lot when I was little girl. I always gave my arts to my parents because I loved them so much. I still do that to this day, only the difference is that I am better at drawing than I was in back then.

Once again, this story was very cute to read. I can read this story again and again, never worrying about getting bored with the story. I love this story very much, and I will always think about this story when I have children in the future.