Children’s Day: Celebrate the child within you

When asked about the age of his grandchildren, grandpa explained, “The doctor is five years old, and the lawyer, four”. Today, on “Children’s Day”, instead of moulding our children and grandchildren into clones like us, couldn’t we learn to be a little more like them? Said Jesus to his disciples, “Unless you change and become like children, you will never enter heaven”. Then, pointing to a child, he added: “Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the sight of God.” Humility is the hallmark of children. Purged of ego, children think little of themselves; at most they’ll brag about daddy’s muscles or mommy’s cooking.

Children are avid learners. Psychologists tell us that children learn more quickly in the first four years of their life than at any other given time. The love and care received during childhood makes them develop a healthy sense of self and security, reaping lifelong benefits.

Children never bear grudges but forgive and forget easily. Growing up in Mumbai, an unwritten rule among all our parents was: “Do not interfere in children’s fights, for they’ll soon be friends!” Indeed, while many boyhood games ended up as boxing bouts, the next day the “fighters” would be the best of friends.

Unless scarred by violence or abuse, children are happy and hopeful — totally trusting in tomorrow while treasuring the hereand-now. Kids know how to celebrate life and love others without prejudices of class, creed or caste. Differences don’t matter; everyone is family and friend.

Nehru also said, “I may not have time for adults, but I have enough time for children”.