Many years ago I was conducting 1:1 play therapy with a child who was supposed to have tested as an imbecile - well below 55 on the intelligence scale. He was taken out of group therapy in the in-patient ward where he was hospitalized - due to his violence towards other children.

I asked him what his favorite game was and he said, "Monopoly." That surprised me but not as much as what happened later.

Well into the game, which he showed great skill at (he had acquired Boardwalk and Park Place along with all the green properties) he established four houses each on all the green properties - none on Boardwalk or Park Place.

On my next roll I landed on Park Place. He calmly slid 4 houses over to Park Place and asked for the exorbitant rental price.

I said, "You can't do that!"

He said, "Mobile homes!"

So much for intelligence tests

This child was eventually reintegrated back into the community and, last I knew, was successfully rejoined to his family. Prior to this monopoly game the entire staff had pretty much given up on him and had thought of institutionalizing him.

You just never know what is going to help someone.

What has surprised you most about someone who you "thought" you knew?