A little one's concept of love..

On a saturday afternoon, I had the pleasure of joining my best friend at his niece's sixth birthday party.

On a colourful bench in a MacDonalds playroom, his niece comfortably sat on his lap. Amusing myself with both him and her, I took a balloon and smacked them both on the head. Laughing at the sound and her reaction, I watched her snatch the balloon away from me in anger. Defensive, and ready to attack me, I said to the birthday girl, "If you love your mama, you'll hit him." (Note: mama in hindi refers to mother's brother.) So this child stopped- being caught in a dilemma, and after penetrating me with her eyes, she hit me. And then, she hit me again and again (with the balloon). She then remarked aggressively, "Well then, i don't love my mama."

My friend just smiled and said, "That's my girl," and I sat there in sheer awe of this little girl's behaviour.

This six year old's understanding of love impressed and fascinated me, as she knew, unlike most adults, that love is not just words, they mean absolutely nothing if your actions aren't of love.

Yajna Ramdass
09/06/09