A Strength So Great....

"I don't want you,mommy.Go away" my three and a half year old nephew tells his mom hugging her tightly ALL the while,frustrated as he was with my aunt stopping him from doing something.I couldn't believe a small boy,just barely waking up to the way the world works-or so i thought-was capable of using such language.I burst out laughing,which he doesn't really appreciate!!

Children ,we often mistakenly think,are ungrown ,empty receptacles waiting for the teachings of the adults around them to fill them up. My nephew has taught me that nothing could be further away from the truth.I know now that we learn far more from children than we teach them.The above mentioned nephew Anish,since his arrival has been such a source of knowledge about the workings of life for me,that I can't help but think that if we only paid closer attention to the way a child's mind works and learn from it,we could all be happier,more fulfilled people.

When I see my nephew focus with undivided attention on the ball being thrown at him and the way he keeps trying everytime with plenty of gusto to catch it inspite of the numerous misses before,I can see that he doesn't need any lessons on the virtues of concentration and perseverance.He does it naturally because he loves the game.

When I saw him sharing his cake with everybody in the car including the driver I was amazed at how he had already discovered the joy of sharing.

He pulls out an old toy he hasn't looked at for months and proceeds to play with it with the warmth of someone reuniting with a loved one after years and I know that 'No one likes being neglected,not even toys' was the clear statement he was making.

When I playfully ask him if I could try his new shoes,he politely and very sweetly tells me that he would get me a new and bigger pair and that his were meant for kids!!

When I shout at him or when I forget to do something that I had promised, he has forgiven ,forgotten and is even ready to gimme another chance a few moments later.

He never holds any anger in his heart.I marvel at the resilience and strength of a child's heart that is able to do that.And I hear people telling themselves arrogantly that they need to teach values and morals to Children!!