What is Poor

We are riding on a scooter. Yog suddenly asks,”Why that girl has a tent?”. I immediately decide that this conversation is soon going to transform into, “Why don’t we have a tent in our house?” So I tried to act ignorant. “I didn’t see any tent. Which tent are you talking about?” This was true. I wondered how Yog managed to see a tent inside someone’s house while we were on the scooter.

But Yog insisted. “That tent on the road! You didn’t see?” (Implying- How can you drive without seeing??) It struck me then. There indeed was a make shift tent on the road. A lady lived there.

I felt guilty for doubting Yogs intention. This time I tried to explain in detail.

Me: Some people stay in tents because they are poor.

Yog: What is poor?

Me: Poor means when someone doesn’t have any money

Yog: They don’t even have cards? (Like credit cards)

Me (choking my laughter) : No, they don’t have cards also

Yog: Then how do they buy food to eat?

Me: They buy little food which is not expensive

Yog: Then we should give them food?

Me: Yes! We should

Yog: We should also give them money

Me ( in a dilemma) : no we shouldn’t give money. We should help them so that they can earn their money.

Yog: How do you have so many cards?

Me (explaining how banks work)

The conversation struck a chord and I wanted to record it to remind myself how quickly we adults jump to conclusions. I has mistakenly interpreted Yogs simple inquisition based on humanity as a selfish demand and tried to avoid it.

Moral of the Story – if only we hear what children have to say without interpretation, we will probably see the beauty in the world as they see it.