Truly Innocent kids

I would narrate three real-life incidences pertaining to kids. It is really interesting to observe that how they see and correlate various things or statements. 

Incidence # 1: Hawaa (Wind)

One day I went on terrace with my son in the evening in summer in Ahmedabad. He must be of around 6 years of age. He asked me very gentle and genuine question after waiting for prolonged period of 2 minutes, like we also do. If not, then we should. “Why we came here?” he asked politely and innocently. I said “Thandi Hawa khane ke liye (We are here to enjoy the cool wind)”. What next? He opened his mouth to eat .......  This was the simple meaning. Did you know it? I did not. 

Incidence # 2: “Do not touch plant in the evening”

Again, in the evening of summer, in Ahmedabad (right), during same time (again you are right) I went with my son (hat trick by you in making guesses) at cross roads. I thought we will sit nearby few plants and would enjoy the gentle traffic, passing by people and vehicles. There was a small plant of tulsi (basil in English). He requested me to pluck few leaves of that plant. Because of our various conceived standard perception (scientific, religious, etiquette, social, etc.); I thought appropriate to say “no”. Then, he asked me very pertinent scientific question ‘why?”. One of the standard perceptions of one of those above-mentioned fields came to my rescue. I replied, “Because the plant is sleeping in the evening, so you should not even touch it”. Immediately, he said, “That is not possible. Because how come it sleep in this noise/traffic.” He had instantly correlated that my wife and I have been stopping him not to make noise when his younger sister is sleeping.  See the reaction time of a kid. Probably, faster than the reaction time of cricketers Jonty Rhodes or Mohammed Azharuddin. I was caught and bold by him. 

Incidence # 3: Yoga by kids

As I mentioned in the beginning, they are real incidences. Hence, there are more probabilities that kids around me would be the characters of these events.  Once upon a time in Vadodara; my son, my daughter and my niece were taking all the lovely possible advantage of their get-together. They were making other sophisticated civilized persons’ routine or life horrible by dhamal, masti and shor-bakor (loud voice clubbed with volume (I would not dare to say it ‘noise’, emotionally)). I took a corporate initiative to engage them. I said ‘come on, I will teach you yoga.’ Only one member should agree on this proposal to materialize. I was lucky enough. Then, I initiated. I asked them to sit in the standard sitting posture. I instructed them to close the eyes and pronounce ‘ommmm.....’ by holding breath for little longer period. I also dared to instruct them to concentrate. It lasted for 7-10 minutes with little disturbances, as anticipated. Finally, to my surprise, my niece felt sleeping and she slept there only. I could not imagine it. You also cannot imagine how much I was laughing. What would you say? Am I a good corporate initiator, a fantastic yoga teacher or magnificent child care-taker or a good spin bowler (as I have taken a wicket)?  

I would wait for your answer and comments.  Don’t stop yourself. Be innocent like kids.

Suresh Purohit (Su_hit)

su_hit@rajshree.co.in

February 9, 2011; 8 PM IST.

"So, how are you Rahul?"

My surrounding people (i.e. friends, relatives, colleagues, family members) know it very well about my this characteristics. I know it is difficult for you to guess, luckily. Ohhhh, I am referring to My style. Little different. Whenever I come across or meet the unknown person and I have no clue about his name. I come across them at tea-stall. I meet them at restaurant. I may meet them in bus or at bus stop. In train, at railway platform, or at shops, even. Now, how to address him? A big challenge. ‘Tenya’, ‘Chotu’, ‘Bhaiya’, ‘Party’, ‘Boss’, ‘Saheb’, ‘Chacha’, ‘Kaka’ ‘or ‘Lala’. The list will be long. We use this various word to address him.

I use the most relevant name for him. For example, I will say while looking at him ‘Rajesh, hamare liye do chai aur ek coffee lana’ (Rajesh, please bring two tea and a coffee). I will also use this phrase ‘Maheshbhai, humko aapki rickshaw mein us char rasta tak chod dena’ (Maheshbhai, please drop me in your auto at next cross-roads).

I have been using this technique since 2003 (that I can recall, as I was staying in Delhi at that time). So far it is good going. The opposite person have been also enjoying or liking this style. Many times, he is refreshed by this unusual conversation or salutation. I use it very safely and looking at the situation. If person does not like then I try to cover up nicely without hurting him.

In Dec-2010, I have taken a seat in shuttle rickshaw to go Ratna Sagar Cross Road (Meghaninagar) from Subhash Bridge in Ahmedabad. It’s a real fact. The rickshaw driver was very young and jolly. He would be of around 20-22 years. He started boasting. He started gossiping little bit (even little big) while driving. I also counter played the same, even though I am not good at it. Then, I said, “Come on, I know you. Your name is Manoj”. He was shocked. He opened his both eyes up to what level he could do. I said to me “he is acting”. Then, he said, “my name is Manoj. But how do you know”. While driving, he also tried to show me his hand with permanent tattoo to show the name Manoj. But after few seconds, he said it has become dull now. I was not sure what is happening. Still I managed to showcase confidence level, even though it was not a reality show airing on TV. Then he said “I will show my identity card at the end of your journey”. I was at ease, if possible.

Then I arrived at the stop. You reached to the climax. I asked him for his Identity card. Now, it is my turn to get shocked and pleased both. He was Manoj. Trust me! He was Manoj Chauhan.

I said to myself, It was about to happen one day. It took 7 years to locate right person. Now I was on the sky on that day and next day too. 7 years is too long, isn't it?