Laughing Under the Lamppost
Jamie was no ordinary boy. At seven years old, his world was as big as his imagination, and in that world, everything could talk. Trees, dogs, cars, and even lampposts were fair game for his conversations. He didn’t just talk to them; he laughed, joked, and debated with them as if they were old friends.
On one sunny afternoon, Jamie was sitting in the front yard under the giant oak tree. His mother glanced out the window, curious about the fits of giggles coming from outside. There Jamie was, looking up at the branches, laughing so hard he could barely breathe.
“What’s so funny?” his mother called from the doorway.
“The tree told me a joke!” Jamie shouted back, his eyes sparkling.
“What kind of joke?” she asked, stepping closer.
Jamie grinned. “It said, ‘Why did the squirrel cross the road?’” He paused for effect, then burst out laughing again. “To collect his nuts on the other side!”
His mom chuckled, shaking her head. “Well, that tree has a great sense of humor.”
Later that day, Jamie wandered down the street, stopping to pat Mr. Bradley’s old golden retriever. “Hey, Max,” he said, crouching down. “How’s it going? You’re looking fluffy today.” Jamie tilted his head as if listening, then nodded. “Oh, I know. Bath time’s the worst. But at least you smell better afterward!”
“Is he talking to my dog again?” Mr. Bradley asked, stepping out onto his porch with a smile.
“Of course I am!” Jamie replied. “Max says he doesn’t like the squeaky toys you bought him. He thinks they’re too loud.”
Mr. Bradley laughed. “Well, I’ll take that under advisement.”
As Jamie continued his stroll, he stopped at the corner where an old lamppost stood. It was tall and slightly crooked, with a small dent near its base. Jamie leaned against it and crossed his arms. “You’re looking tired today,” he said.
The lamppost, of course, said nothing, but Jamie nodded as if hearing a response. “I know, I know. Standing here all day must be exhausting. But you’re doing a great job! Nobody lights up the street like you do.”
A couple walking by paused, smiling at the sight of Jamie chatting away. “Who’s he talking to now?” the woman whispered.
“The lamppost,” the man replied with a chuckle. “Looks like they’re having a serious conversation.”
Jamie suddenly burst out laughing, pointing at the lamppost. “No way! You did not see that cat climb up the tree yesterday! That’s hilarious!”
When Jamie’s mom called him home for dinner, he skipped back with a smile on his face. “I had the best day,” he told her.
“What did you do?” she asked, setting the table.
“Oh, lots of things. The tree told me jokes, Max shared his opinions on squeaky toys, and the lamppost told me about a cat rescue. It’s been a busy day!”
His mom knelt down and hugged him. “You have such a wonderful imagination, Jamie. The world must be so fun for you.”
“It is,” Jamie said with a grin. “When you talk to the world, it talks back.”
That night, as Jamie drifted off to sleep, his mom peeked into his room. He was smiling, probably dreaming about another lively chat with the lamppost or an argument with the mailbox. Whatever it was, she knew one thing for sure: Jamie’s imagination was his greatest gift, and it filled the world around him with magic, laughter, and endless possibilities.
Phrasal Verbs & Example Sentences
Glance out – To look quickly outside.
Example: “His mother glanced out the window.”
Step closer – To move nearer to someone or something.
Example: “She asked, stepping closer.”
Burst out – To suddenly start laughing.
Example: “Jamie burst out laughing again.”
Take under advisement – To consider something.
Example: “I’ll take that under advisement.”
Drift off – To fall asleep slowly.
Example: “As Jamie drifted off to sleep.”
Phrasal Verb Quiz
Fill in the Blank with the Correct Phrasal Verb
Jamie’s mother ________ the window to see what was making him laugh.
As Jamie told his mother about the tree’s joke, she ________ to hear him better.
The joke was so funny that Jamie ________, unable to stop himself.
Mr. Bradley said he would ________ Jamie’s advice about the squeaky toys.
At the end of the day, Jamie lay in bed and began to ________ peacefully.
Answers: Phrasal Verbs
Glanced out
Stepped closer
Burst out
Take under advisement
Drift off
Idioms & Example Sentences
Fair game – Open to interaction or use.
Example: “Trees, dogs, cars, and even lampposts were fair game for his conversations.”
Sparkling eyes – Bright, lively eyes showing excitement.
Example: “Jamie shouted back, his eyes sparkling.”
Take that under advisement – To think about or consider something.
Example: “Well, I’ll take that under advisement.”
Light up the street – To brighten or improve the area.
Example: “Nobody lights up the street like you do.”
Greatest gift – A valuable talent or quality.
Example: “Jamie’s imagination was his greatest gift.”
Idiom Quiz
Fill in the Blank with the Correct Idiom
To Jamie, trees, dogs, and even cars were ________ for conversation.
Jamie’s ________ showed how excited he was about the tree’s joke.
Mr. Bradley said he would ________ Jamie’s comments about Max’s toys.
Jamie told the lamppost, “Nobody ________ like you do.”
Jamie’s imagination was described as his ________, filling the world with laughter and magic.
Answers: Idioms
Fair game
Sparkling eyes
Take that under advisement
Lights up the street
Greatest gift
Multiple-Choice Questions
Circle the correct answer.
What made Jamie unique?
a. He loved solving puzzles.
b. He talked to everything, including trees and lampposts.
c. He had a talent for singing.
d. He collected toys and displayed them.Why was Jamie laughing under the oak tree?
a. He saw a squirrel doing something funny.
b. The tree “told” him a joke.
c. His mom told him a funny story.
d. He tripped and found it amusing.What did Jamie tell his mom the tree's joke was?
a. “Why did the squirrel cross the road?”
b. “Why don’t trees ever get lost?”
c. “What do you call a tree that tells jokes?”
d. “How do trees get internet access?”What did Jamie tell Mr. Bradley about Max, the golden retriever?
a. Max didn’t like his new leash.
b. Max thought the squeaky toys were too loud.
c. Max was tired of playing fetch.
d. Max wanted more treats.What did Jamie tell the lamppost during their “conversation”?
a. It should stand straighter.
b. It must be tired from standing all day.
c. It needed a fresh coat of paint.
d. It should try to light up more streets.What did the couple who passed by Jamie think of him?
a. They found his imagination amusing.
b. They thought he was being silly.
c. They were concerned about him.
d. They ignored him entirely.Why did Jamie burst out laughing while talking to the lamppost?
a. He imagined it tripping over.
b. He pretended it told him a story about a cat climbing a tree.
c. The wind made a funny sound through it.
d. He saw a bird sitting on top of it.How did Jamie describe his day to his mom at dinner?
a. He said it was boring.
b. He said he talked to the tree, Max, and the lamppost.
c. He said he played with his friends all day.
d. He said he spent the day napping.What did Jamie’s mom say about his imagination?
a. It was his greatest gift.
b. It would get him into trouble someday.
c. It was something he needed to grow out of.
d. It was only useful for writing stories.What did Jamie’s mom think about his imagination before leaving his room at night?
a. She wished he would focus on real-world tasks more.
b. She thought it filled the world with magic and laughter.
c. She hoped he would stop talking to objects.
d. She worried it would fade as he grew older.
Answers: Multiple-Choice Questions
b - He talked to everything, including trees and lampposts.
b - The tree “told” him a joke.
a - “Why did the squirrel cross the road?”
b - Max thought the squeaky toys were too loud.
b - It must be tired from standing all day.
a - They found his imagination amusing.
b - He pretended it told him a story about a cat climbing a tree.
b - He said he talked to the tree, Max, and the lamppost.
a - It was his greatest gift.
b - She thought it filled the world with magic and laughter.
Thought Provoking Question
Do you think Jamie’s imagination is his greatest gift, as his mother says, or could it sometimes hold him back?
Why do you think that?