Conducted 2 experiments investigating the comprehension of metaphors describing emotional reactions. In Experiment 1, asked 32 children from 3 age levels (5,7, and 9 years) and 32 college students to interpret and explain metaphors describing love, hate, happiness, sadness, anger, and fear. Metaphors varied in degree of abstractness. Results indicated that even the youngest children demonstrated some ability to interpret metaphors, although they could not explain their interpretations. Abstract metaphors were more difficult to comprehend than concrete metaphors. In Experiment 2, 40 subjects from each age level interpreted and explained metaphors describing love, pride, happiness, sadness, anger, and fear. Metaphors varied in degree of novelty. Again, even the youngest children could interpret metaphors, but could not explain their interpretations. Obtained no significant differences between common and novel metaphors. Findings are discussed in relation to prior research that has indicated that the ability to comprehend metaphors describing psychological phenomena does not develop until ages 9 to 10.Although it is generally acknowledged that children of preschool and early elementary-school age have some ability to comprehend metaphors (