Of Tears and Toddlers

So juzi I was in a mat minding my own business on my way home. Nice Sunday afte and I'm thinking all is well with the world. Then a lady gets in with a kid who looks about 4 and he's crying. At first it's cute as I consider the childish petulence endearing. After a quick couple of minutes it gets old. And I quickly get to thinking the way mother's of nowadays let their kids get away with bloody murder. This kid goes on and on in tears and the mother seemingly oblivious stares off in the opposite direction. As we get along, the kid decides to tell the mother that the reason for his tears is that he wants water. She nicely and patiently explains to him that she doesn't have any but that they will get some when they get to their destination. The young one throws his little fists in the air and wales in his tantrum for the rest of my journey.

With my face clouded over I ask myself why she doesn't just do something about it. And then a little memory comes to mind. I must have been around 6 years old and was with my dad and brother as we walked through town with a million places to go when I suddenly declared that I was dying of thirst. I said I could hardly take another step until I got some water. My poor dad left me in the charge of my brother as he ran into a super market to get me some water. He got back with a whole litre and we all stood around waiting for me to drink to my fill. I promptly took 2 dainty sips and said I'd had enough! If my dad were a jungu he'd have been as red as red shaggs soil!

As I alighted and the kid continued crying, I threw a weak commiseratory smile to the poor mother and went on my way. Hoorah to all the parents of the world!