The other day, my grandson, Neel, all of five, asked me: “Dadaji, when I become Papa (read: by the time), you will have died, no?”
I was astounded, to say the least, not because of what the question implied, but the ease, the simplicity and innocence with which it was asked.
It so happened that the little one was on spree of mischiefs. So I scolded him. As is his wont, he was back to his antics in no time. Both his mother and grandmother were at the end of their wits. I gave him a higher doze. I warned him that if he continues with his mischiefs, I will send him to a boarding school where he will have to stay without his parents and grandparents, and that too with discipline. After a little cross examination, he was convinced that the threat, probably, was real. That did the trick.
He took out his blocks, started building something in a corner of the room and was quite for sometime. Relieved, I was back to my newspaper. But, the child’s mind was working. He was probably worried about the future, that his off springs will have to go through what he was going through. Hence the question- to make sure, I won’t be around to harass his children.
I assured him that I will not be there anymore when he becomes Papa. It would be exaggeration if I say he was relieved, but he was satisfied, went back to his blocks and left me in peace with my newspaper and with my bewilderment.
Only and only a child can ask such questions with innocence and without any awkwardness. Soon, as he grows, we will loose this charm. I was thankful to the God Almighty, that in this day and time of street smart children, my grandson was still a child, by age and in mind. At the same time, there was grief at the back of mind that he will grow up soon and we will lose this fun.
I was astounded, to say the least, not because of what the question implied, but the ease, the simplicity and innocence with which it was asked.
It so happened that the little one was on spree of mischiefs. So I scolded him. As is his wont, he was back to his antics in no time. Both his mother and grandmother were at the end of their wits. I gave him a higher doze. I warned him that if he continues with his mischiefs, I will send him to a boarding school where he will have to stay without his parents and grandparents, and that too with discipline. After a little cross examination, he was convinced that the threat, probably, was real. That did the trick.
He took out his blocks, started building something in a corner of the room and was quite for sometime. Relieved, I was back to my newspaper. But, the child’s mind was working. He was probably worried about the future, that his off springs will have to go through what he was going through. Hence the question- to make sure, I won’t be around to harass his children.
I assured him that I will not be there anymore when he becomes Papa. It would be exaggeration if I say he was relieved, but he was satisfied, went back to his blocks and left me in peace with my newspaper and with my bewilderment.
Only and only a child can ask such questions with innocence and without any awkwardness. Soon, as he grows, we will loose this charm. I was thankful to the God Almighty, that in this day and time of street smart children, my grandson was still a child, by age and in mind. At the same time, there was grief at the back of mind that he will grow up soon and we will lose this fun.
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