Disappointed Mom Hangs Son’s Illustrations Inside Refrigerator

“It’s not my fault the pre-K program she enrolled me in only has an architecture unit on brutalism.”

February 24, 2021

By Ken Taro Ward

BOSTON – 5 year-old Johnny Chen reached for an afterschool snack in the refrigerator and noticed something unexpected: one of his drawings. His mother, Alice Chen, told him it was in there because she was unsatisfied with the quality of the illustration.

“My son drew our house. At least that’s what he tells me,” said Mrs. Chen. “I mean, he drew Composite columns for God’s sake. Ours are Corinthian. The styles are wildly different. I don’t know how he could get them confused.”

While preparing Johnny a snack plate of dried squid and haw flakes, she continued her evaluation.

“Sure, his motor skills are lackluster, but I could draw the five major orders of Classical architecture with my eyes closed by the time I was half his age. Don’t get me wrong; I generally enjoy his work. I just don’t think this drawing in particular was front-of-the-fridge material. I know that he can do better. He draws quite an exquisite door.” 

Johnny, although disappointed, took the criticism well. 

“I agree it’s not my best work, but I think my mom is overlooking some of the aspects that I have no control over. First of all, the Crayolas she sourced for me are abysmal. They don’t even know the difference between alabaster and eggshell.” He took a break from his Peloton workout to sit down on his marble floor, grabbing a copy of the Quran and beginning to read.

After a few minutes, sitting criss-crossed applesauce, he began again, “And It’s not my fault the pre-K program she enrolled me in only has an architecture unit on brutalism. Where else am I supposed to learn modern Classical architecture?” questioned the preschooler. “Plus her hydrangea bushes in the yard are in such poor condition; I was only trying to make an accurate depiction.”

Daniel Chen, Johnny’s father, weighed in on the situation. 

“I have to agree with Alice here,” Mr. Chen said. “Tough love. That’s how you get better. When we first got married, I found one of my paychecks inside the refrigerator. That inspired me to work harder. I was a lowly primary care physician back then, but now I’m a cardiologist and a neurosurgeon. If Johnny wants to get into the architecture program at M.I.T. before he turns eight, he needs to take my wife’s advice. She was an architect before becoming a nuclear physicist.” 

Although Mrs. Chen does not regret her actions, she said that she is proud of her son overall. She reportedly reserves the worst work for the freezer.