>The Most Fun I’ve Ever Had Giving a Compliment

“You did a great job out there,” I told a high school boy last night, while standing backstage after a comedic play that featured both him and my stepdaughters.

“Thanks!” the boy said, beaming.

“I mean it,” I said. “You were so good, I thought you really were stupid.” I paused and grinned innocently. “I mean, you’re not stupid in real life, are you?”

The boy looked as if he might burst with pride. “No!” he said. “I’m not! I’m actually quite intelligent!” I hid a snort behind my hand and pretended to clear my throat.

“But I can understand how you would think that,” he continued, “because I really got into my role.”

“Oh,” I nodded and smiled politely.

“At first I focused on the fact that I was supposed to be in love with Isabella,” he said. “And after a while, I was really feeling that part of my character strongly.”

“Mmm hmm,” I said, my eyes glassing over.

“And then, I concentrated on the death scene,” he continued. “And I thought to myself, ‘What would it be like to, like, be dead?’ And once I had practiced that over and over again, I really got that part of my character down.“

“Obviously,” I said.

“And then tonight, I decided it was time to think about the fact that my character is, you know, not that bright,” he said, his voice rising with excitement. “And so that’s what I was thinking about during this entire performance! And then you come up and you say that!”

“And it’s true!” I gushed. “You seemed really, really dumb!” He smiled with gratitude. “Seriously!” I said. “I’ve never seen anyone dumber than you!”

“Really?” he asked gaily.

“Really!” I assured him.

Really, I thought as I walked away.

This post originally appeared on Parents.com.