Tuesday, December 14, 2010

The Happier Child

I saw a schoolgirl throwing grain for pigeons, and after she was done, walk through the flock. Her happiness was evident. Her day had been made so soon after it had begun.

Minutes later, I saw another child. Her mother kept her away from the birds, and she didn't seem interested in them either. They were both focussed on the task of reaching school on time.


Which kid does better in school, I do not know. Nor which is the faster runner or the better dancer. But which one is happier, I do know. And that is what really matters.

_____
drabble is a story told in exactly 100 words.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

You're right! Kids must experience the magic of childhood! Love that photo.

Debra She Who Seeks said...

And I know which kid the pigeons like best.

Ann said...

As the saying goes, stop to smell the roses. That wonderful child understands the meaning of that and if she can hold unto it, will live a happier more fulfilling life. Beauty is all around us, we just need to stop take a moment and breath it in.

Anonymous said...

Rayna - Living in the moment and noticing and celebrating the life around you - what could be better!? There is much research that supports your point, too. All other things being equal, children who are not stressed do tend to do better in school, etc..

Southpaw said...

That's is so true. It's sad to think a child has already lost that sense of wonder amd joy at simple things.

kjmckendry said...

I love this pic. It reminds me of when my mom used to take me to the river to feed ducks.

Jules said...

I would venture to say you do know whom did better in school, the school of life. :)

Wonderful drabble
Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

You have excellent powers of observation, Rayna!

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Stop and smell the roses!

Hart Johnson said...

It's so true, Natasha--I see all these harried, hurried kids and wonder at the disservice their parents do by not encouraging a sense of wonder and play.

Anuradha Shankar said...

very well said!

Natasha said...

@ Fiona - I happened to have a good camera with me that day, but I suspect it would have been as magical a photograph even with my camera phone.
And so true about kids needing to experience a lot.

@ Debra- pigeons will like anyone who feeds them! Not too fond of them myself.

@ Ann- so true. More than the child, I admire the mother. Her's must be a stress filled day, and yet, she manages to make time to let her daughter smell the roses. Lucky kid.

@ Margot- they do, don't they? And even if they don't do well in school, I am sure they are better equipped for doing well in life.

@ Holly- I felt so sorry for that other kid. She didn't even try to look at the pigeons- old before her time.

@ kmckendry- that must have been great fun. I've never fed ducks.

@ Jules- that I am sure I know.

@ Alex- thank you. Guess I am still a child too.

@ Diane- and feed the birds!

@ Hart- it is sad, isn't it? Okay, there are times when you have to get the kid to hurry, but not all the time.

@ Anu- thank you.

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