An Emerging Emergency

(I’m a 911 operator. While I do my best to help people in emergencies, we occasionally get some unnecessary calls.)

Me: “911, what’s the emergency?”

Child: “MOMMY, IT’S REAL!”

(I hear the child running and then I hear this conversation.)

Mother: “What’s real?”

Child: “911! I thought it was only on TV.”

Mother: “You called 911?! You know that’s only for emergencies. You’re grounded for a week. Please apologize to the person on the phone.”

(The child is back on the phone.)

Child: “Sorry. Mommy said I can only call you if it’s an emergency.”

Me: “That’s okay, but don’t make that mistake again or you will get in trouble.”

Child: “I know. Bye.”

Me: “Bye.”

(30 minutes pass and I get a call from the same child.)

Me: “911, what’s the emergency?”

Child: “Mommy stole my DS!”