Exactly, that's how it happens. He will realize that only the perfect washer will save him, and will remember the tin.

He will open it, and start trying different ones until one fits perfectly, but it's a little oxidized. He digs a bit more, and finds a pretty shiny one! PERFECT!

This is a revelation! Suddenly, he totally understands what his old man was always talking about. The generational wisdom of the family has been successfully passed to the next generation. He looks to the heavens and says "I get it Dad."

And from the next room, I call out "Hey, what's going on? Need a washer for anything?"

And he says, "No, Dad, I got it."

Kid successfully raised.