Ike and Mike, they think alike!

The Bible has the story of the Tower of Babel.  People of the world were united as one race with one language.  Then a little bit of this and that happened, and humankind got divided.  Even their language got divided and that's how people started speaking in different tongues.  It was a curse God bestowed upon humankind for its arrogance.  But in spite of this curse, God has given an alternative to people on how to get into His good book again: become like a child!

I don't intend to sound religious in this blog about my daughter.  Not at all.  But I am trying to highlight a point.  When grown-ups meet, there are always awkward silences.   The standard couple of initial sentences go smoothly, "Hello.  How do you do?  My name is so and so." And if you are Indian, you will definitely add, "Where are you from?  Are you married?  Where do you work?" and so on.   But even then, the conversation dies out....and people bring in the standard weather, politics, business, work, sports, gossip or similar topics in order to keep communicating.  But is there a true bonding that takes place?  Is it actually heart-to-heart?  Let each one decide for themselves.

We were invited to my cousins's son's first birthday party.  However, due to a conflict of schedules, we found ourselves unable to attend the party.  So, we visited him the evening before the party.  This cousin has two kids: one aged 3 and one ages 1.  And another niece of his (aged 9) was also there.  

The living room scenario was like this: 6 grown-ups and 4 kids.  And of course, the kids hit it off immediately.  They were laughing, playing, pulling hair (playfully!), holding hands, embracing and so on and so forth.  No language was required.  No guidance was necessary.  No monitoring was called for.  They had good fun and 'communicated' well.  My daughter was extremely happy.  She was laughing, doing most of the hair-pulling, talking to everyone in her gaga-googoo style...it was so cute to watch.

This is where I think the innocence of children can teach us.  They are not bothered about third persons....they couldn't care less about the affairs of the world.  They are just genuinely interest in one another and concerned about having a good time with each other.  And it's not about these kids only.  You come across kids anywhere, on playgrounds or anywhere (except when they are at school!!!), they get along well.  

I think there is a lesson here somewhere.  And I am not even trying to lay it out in words.  It is pretty obvious.  I guess the crux of a good relationship can be learned from kids.  It is so pure and sincere.  If we would only learn from them, I guess many things in our lives would improve...I am sure of that.