When I gave birth to my first child my husband and I were ecstatic. I went to the hospital as I had labour pains. I waited for the birth of my baby. In the meantime, I went to the maternity lounge. A man was sitting in a chair watching television, obviously waiting for the birth of his wife's baby. All of a sudden I started having labour pains. Well, that man freaked out because I was having severe pain. He probably didn't realize what women had to go through to have a baby. He immediately left, with a scared look on his face. He thought I was going to have the baby right there. I finally gave birth to a fair, blonde, soft baby girl. She was the apple of my eye. I always wished for a blonde baby girl, and my wish came true.

Background Information

Talk about having a baby today and what it was like for couples to have children many years ago. Were the husbands allowed to participate in the birth many years ago? Are they allowed now? Can the birth of a baby be scary? Finally, talk about wishing for certain things. What can happen if your wish doesn't come true.

Questions

1. What does the word ecstatic mean?

2. Where did Ruby go as she waited for the birth of her baby?

3. What is a labour pain?

4. Why did the man freak out?

5. What was the man doing when Ruby saw him?

6. What did Ruby's baby look like when she was born?

7. What does immediately mean?

8. What does apple of my eye mean?

9. Do you always get what you wish for?

10. What do you think Ruby would have done if she had a dark haired baby boy instead of a blonde girl?