The article about artist Michael Theise and his Monopoly board painting reminded me of an experience I had many years ago. I was 'volunteered' to help teach a vacation bible school class of preschoolers. Not having been around small children (this was before I was married and had children of my own), I was a bit nervous and, as it turned out, naive about how children perceive the world.

The story to be taught was about the money-changers in the temple, and I came up with the brilliant idea of making foil impressions of real coins and gluing them to the story board along with other scenery pictures. When my turn came to give the lesson, I pulled out the board and pandemonium ensued. All of the kids rushed forward to touch the money, which looked real enough to them. It took half the lesson time to get everyone back to his or her seat.

I suspect the only thing remembered was the 'money', as attractive to four and five year-olds as Theise's 'currency' apparently is to adults.