Why Wise?

One of the most human and most difficult questions to answer, is "why". The who, what, where, when and how are simple compared to "why"? Around three years of age, the first five are answered easily by parents but when the "why"s begin about the fourth year of their kids' lives, they have trouble being so glib. The reason is that Why - we'll give it a name -  brings in all sorts of complications. On the query, there are many reasons along with the answers, some complex and elusive, that would or could take hours to define completely. Answering Why also brings in personal impressions and judgements. Someone might ask Why about a friend or relative and suddenly you are forced to plunge into your own personal trunk of feelings, thoughts and experiences to give a proper answer. Often times you have to expose your own prejudices. "Why doesn't Daddy like Uncle Julius?" asks your five year old. Because he's too smart? Because he drinks like a fish? Because he hoards money? Because he's jealous of him? We all know that sort of question and it's seldom answered openly simply because there is no definitive reason, as in this case. Why does the car squeal when it is in reverse, might have an answer that makes sense.  Not that my mechanic has discovered it to date, but it is an example of a Why question that dealing with it might  make proveable sense. Most of them don't. Why does Uncle Joe have no hair? Why does Aunt Mamie's apple pie taste like fuel oil? The imagination soars. Fortunately, four year olds are content pretty much with whatever answer rolls out. "Just because" sometimes works. And if you have the time to expound, most four year olds are off to their WiFis about the time the last word in your long explanation is spoken anyway. Some wise Why-solvers of difficult queries, merely blurt, "Sorry dear, can't do it now, gotta take this call. Catch you later."