OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF BABES ...
Recently a group of my friends and I were comparing memories of our younger days. One of the men recalled this story and I want to share it with you.
He was in his twenties and his wife had left him in charge of their three year old daughter. It was close to Christmas so he thought it would be great fun to go shopping for presents with her. He could just imagine the joy that his little girl would experience when she saw the dolls and other things that he planned to buy.
She was a typically active three year old and his wife had advised him to use the harness if they went out. This was a safety device that fit very much like a vest and had a strong cord attached so that she could wander only as far as he allowed. This proved to be very handy and he was able to let her meander along while he picked out presents.
But the venture wasn’t turning out like he’d imagined. She barely smiled and didn’t seem particularly interested in any of the toys that he chose. He persevered, however, and his cart was almost overflowing with goodies when he checked out. With great care he maneuvered his little girl and the packages out to the car.
As he opened the trunk and was putting the gifts inside he felt a tug on the harness cord. He turned to see that his little child was squatting on the pavement. He hurriedly threw the rest of the packages in the trunk and slammed it shut. Then he bent down to see what she was doing.
She turned to him with a radiant smile, as she pointed to what was fascinating her. It was a single flower pushing it’s way up through a small crack in the pavement... a gift more precious to her than all the ones that he had bought.
posted by Ginnie at 5:31 AM
11 Comments:
Great story. I love the sense of wonderment in a child.
Ha! Love it!
Thanks for your comment, yes, all the poems are mine...glad you like them.
Very cool story and wonderfully told, as are the two previous posts...which I missed. The story of Kenny is particularly interesting since my husband shares stories about being bussed to a high school in Little Rock in the 70's. Very interesting.
Hi Ginnie
That's a simple and profound story, kind of like a parable. I agree with Gawilli, the telling is as wonderful as the content.
Ah, yes. Kids are delighted with the simplest things.. and that is what is important to maintain. Lovely story, as always.
And thanks for your comment on my blog. Of course, you are correct. As Maya Angelou (whom I quote a lot), "when we know better, we do better."
:)
Peace,
~Chani
Beautiful story, Ginnie.
Thank you :)
I love it. As a former Montessori teacher, it didn't surprise me a bit.
I've always said, spend some time with a child and it will entirely change your perspective on life. The wonder of a child has always resonated with me and increased my awareness level.
I loved your beautiful story and picture. I have experienced the same kind of thing with my boys, spent a small fortune on them for Christmas, and they are in the backyard 1/2 hour after gifts are open making forts with the boxes the gifts came in and having the best time !
Good job, Ginnie. You still have "it". Robert
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