“Children must be taught how to think,
not what to think.”
Childhood is the most unforgettable
phase of an individual's life. A phase of life when we laughed, played and had
nothing to worry about in that little world of ours. The Bulls and Bears never
mattered to us and we didn't have to discuss the prospective of the new
Government or a shaky democracy and scams.
One gaze at a happy-go-lucky child, with
a toothless grin and playing on nature's lap brings a smile on everyone's face.
Bringing back sweet memories of one's own childhood! Today, we are what the
society calls "Adults", with access to vote, drive a 4-wheeler, visit
a pub and even choose a life partner. We have grown up to be engineers,
doctors, lawyers, or journalists, living in a world of our own- our family and
our friends. But in this long journey called Life, we forget the child within
us, locked up in a cage; a child that desires to go back to the school lawns
and dive itself in all the fun and frolic, overlooking the difficulties that
come its way. A child that cannot wait to get a bite of that yummy chocolate
cake that could spell the end of a diabetic's life.
There is a difference between being
'childish' and 'childlike'. A majority of us are becoming childish in our
activities- stubborn, possessive and irresponsible in performing our duties.
What we need is a conscious effort to be childlike...
I am always astounded by tiny tots when
they start walking. That first step, wavering footsteps, a zigzag path and then
"thud"- that inevitable fall! Well, but what amazes me is that they
get up each time and start all over again! Have you seen children playing
cricket in a playground?! Who hasn't!! Most often, a fight follows, the
blame game begins and the match is called off. But the next day we see
them all together and make us wonder, if they are the same kids who fought a
while ago!
Aren't these what we come across as
adults in everyday life!? How many of us rise after a fall, like the tiny tot
taking its first steps, with a smile on our face? How many times have we played
the blame game and been the victim of one! But how often do we go on without
harboring hard feelings for the other party!? These are lessons to be learnt
from the playground!!
We have grown older but have we really
grown up! Isn't it true that the child in the playground playing with his
former "rival" is a much BIGGER person than us!!!? That child is
still within us... Waiting to be set free, waiting to embrace the world,
forgive and smile at the face of adversity. It is high time we grew up and the
best way to do that is to be a child.. again..
