Pets at Home – Shilpa Roy Kota

Toyna has been pestering us for a pet dog since eternity. I love dogs myself, but at the same time, am fully aware of the fact that we don’t have the time or the physical space in our house to do justice to one. Whenever we try to explain the same to Toyna, she quickly claims that she will take care of the pet completely. It will never be a botheration for us.

I always sigh at this, remembering the so many older claims she has made; from which she has quickly moved on to the next big thing in her life. I understand she is afterall just a child and children are supposed to be like this. However, since I just can’t maintain a pet on my own, if Toyna moves on to something else, we have not got around to getting a pet till now.

Today, some inspiration from somewhere got Toyna started on the same request again. We maintained our stand, but her grandmother tried a new negotiation card. She said, “Toyna, we promise to get a pet dog once you are mature enough to handle it.” I liked this thought, and told Toyna that I second her grandmother. Sensing that everyone was quickly getting together on her opposite side, Toyna said, “Ok, ok, I understood! Everyone doesn’t need to say it again.” Then she paused for a moment and said, “I understood whatever you said, but I just don’t know the meaning of the word “mature”.”

Her grandmother and I burst out laughing. In my mind, I thought, “I know dear, you are far away from maturity right now!”