Small steps is still the undisputed king (queen?) of the internet cuteness club... That bottom photo is just priceless. I think it's good to learn and enjoy at her age, the ability to follow direction is a part of organized activity. Maybe that's why there are so damn many marathoners-it's entirely up to them and no one else has any input except at the very highest levels.
I was getting ready to argue with you about the love of learning, but I think you are probably right. It is almost always directly connected to a payout. At least in my case that payout is sometimes so small and insignificant as to be ignored. But in reality it's there.
The bottom picture is one of her "mouse" faces. She is going through a mouse phase, which is lasting longer than I expected.
I used to think there could be the live to actually learn, but then, every love gets some return, even if it is just the feeling of goodness. Even unrequited love feels good at some level, despite there not being reciprocity.
I have heard someone say something along the lines of: while there may be an exception, there seems to be no selfless act, at least an act made with intention.