This question comes from the March 24, 2025, issue of the NYT Mini Crossword. The clue is a perfectly behaved child for the across section of this crossword puzzle. The answers can be tricky, and you might think of the term “good kid”. However, we’re only looking for five letters, and there are very few options for it.
The word ANGEL is often used to describe children who are well-behaved. You have people calling a baby a sleeping angel, so this also applies to children, especially to the younger ones. The more specific types of angels are those cherubs who look like babies, too.
Angels are also associated with kindness and gentleness. Calling a behaved child an angel wouldn’t be that far from the imagination. Plus, the ones that misbehave are often called little devils. Then again, that term can be a bit harsh, although still applicable to some people.
