The newspaper The Independent reported today that children have lost touch with the natural world.  Concerned, I clicked onto the quiz thoughtfully provided for readers and called my 17yo to come take it.  I figured I would either be smug and pleased that she has an amazing knowledge of the World of Nature.......or I would be humiliated beyond belief and she would be sent right outside with her Nature Journal.

The first photo popped up.  Sarah identified the creature carefully, suspecting a trap, it was so easy.   The next one, a fruit, was a little harder [read: tricky] but she got it.   Then we got to the third photo and came to a dead stop.  It was a flower.  A pretty flower.  A pretty BRITISH  flower.  As in: not seen in American gardens unless they spend oodles of money and pamper that plant along in our wild North American environment.  So basically a flower that will never be seen in MY garden.  Sarah made a guess [by guessing the only British flower she knew and, thank you Charlotte Mason, one about which she had read in a book], I made a guess.  Sarah was right, I was wrong.  And yes, this flower IS in North America - - it just looks totally different over here.

And that was the way the quiz went.  There was not one creature that I hadn't heard of.........they just look a bit different on this side of the pond.  So I have provided the quiz link for any readers who wish to feel either smug and stupid.  A hint:  if you have seen "The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe" and read plenty of English children's books, you should do quite well.  Take your best shot!

QUIZ