Good questions do not need the correct answers.

Bad questions have only one answer.

Good questions always hit us and make us ponder.

Bad questions are the phrases that merely lead to ‘yes’ or ‘no’.

Conversation A

CHILD: Dad, my friend made me angry at school.

DAD: Which friend?

CHILD: Nina. She is very mean.

DAD: Did she bully you?

CHILD: Yes. She stepped on my book.

DAD: Did you tell the teacher?

CHILD: Yes.

DAD: Did the teacher punish her?

CHILD: No. The teacher just told her off.

DAD: It’s OK. It’s just a small matter. You will be fine.

Conversation B

CHILD: Dad, my friend made me angry at school.

DAD: Tell me what happened.

CHILD: Nina stepped on my book and never said sorry.

DAD: Do you think Nina did it on purpose?

CHILD: Err…..I think no. She accidentally stepped on it. But she never said sorry!

DAD: What can you do if you are angry at your friend?

CHILD: I can tell the teacher.

DAD: Instead of telling the teacher, do you think you can tell your friend that you are angry at her?

CHILD: But she will not listen to me.

DAD: If she won’t listen to you, how would you make her listen?

CHILD: Maybe I can tell her the book will be torn and it won’t look nice anymore.

DAD: What if the book wasn’t left on the floor? Would it have been stepped on by Nina?

CHILD: OK it’s not all Nina’s fault. But she should say sorry.

DAD: Do you think talking to her politely will help?

CHILD: I guess so.

DAD: Now show me how would you talk to Nina in a polite way?

CHILD: Excuse me Nina, you stepped on my book. Can you be careful next time?

DAD: That sounds pretty nice. Will you be polite to your friend next time?

CHILD: Sure.