Nidhi, a 5 year old is very excited to hear the news that she is going to have a younger brother soon. In fact, her whole family was excited to welcome the new born. And finally the day has come!! Vasu, Nidhi's father has thrown a feast to his friends and family and it was indeed the most memorable day for everyone. The new born is placed on a brand new premium baby bed which is neatly decorated all around. Vasu attaches "Baby Aboard" tag to his car and there's a sense of joy on his face. The whole house is filled with relatives and friends, some of them preparing lunch and some already tasting the freshly prepared sweets. Nidhi's parents are discussing the probable names for the new born and Vasu's father, an astrologist by passion started making rough predictions about his future based on time of birth.
Amidst the festive environment, Nidhi quietly sits in a corner deeply pondering over something. Noticing this, Vasu takes her into his arms and asks, "What's bothering you beta? you look sad. Aren't you excited to welcome your brother?"
I am very excited dada. But, I have a question. says Nidhi
When I was born, did you welcome me the same way as we are doing now?
Vasu is perplexed with her question and he replies with a smile "Yes beta, since you were our first born, the celebrations were huge."
Really!! asks Nidhi with her face filled with enthusiasm.
Yes, says Vasu.
But I have a question..says Nidhi poking her left index finger onto her cheek.
Ask me beta, says Vasu.
Does everyone celebrate the birth of a new born the way we are doing now?
Ahh more or less yes beta. It is believed that a new born brings luck and prosperity to the family and is considered as a good omen.
Ohh..is it so.. says Nidhi.
After a subtle pause, Nidhi says, Dada I have another question.
Vasu, thinking in his mind that he should have named her "Question bank" instead of Nidhi, says, Go on and ask beta.
Last week, when we were on the way to school, we saw someone being laid on bed decorated with garlands and flowers all around and being carried by people on the streets, why are they doing so dada? Asks Nidhi out of curiosity.
It's because that person is dead beta. says Vasu with a cue of hesitation.
Ohh death?? What do you mean by that dada? Asks Nidhi.
It's beyond your understanding beta. You are just 5, says Vasu.
No dada ...I want to know. Please tell me.
Vasu is fascinated with the kind of questions posed by his daughter but he can't help either as it's a smartphone era and kids are super smart these days.
Tell me dada, Nidhi asks again poking Vasu's slightly bulged belly fat.
Ok beta. I will tell you about birth and death in a simple manner for your ease of understanding. Assume it is just like a running race or a marathon.
Race? Like the one I participated recently on sports day? asks Nidhi with a confused face looking at her father.
Yes beta. Every race has a starting point and an ending point. Correct? So, Birth is like a starting point of a race and death is the ending point. It is a natural process. says Vasu hoping that her daughter would understand.
Ohh.now I got it dada. But I have another question.
Another one? Ok go on, says a surprised Vasu.
Going back to the day we saw the dead person on the street, you said it was a bad omen and you even covered my eyes with your palm so that I don't see it and we also took a different route to the school that day. My question is that if birth and death are a part of natural process then why is birth considered as a good omen and death a bad omen? asks Nidhi.
Vasu is literally stunned and speecheless by her question. There is a momentary pause in their conversation. Vasu has no answer. He is still thinking about how can a 5 year old has such an analytical mindset. He has nothing to say but defer the conversation so that he can ask himself the same question. He finally says,
Can we talk about this later beta? Guests are waiting for me and it's almost lunch time.
Ok dada. Even I am hungry. But you have to make me a pinky promise that you will answer me after the guests leave, in the evening. says Nidhi.
What's a pinky promise? Asks Vasu.
Dada, it means you are not allowed to break the promise. If you break then I won't talk with you forever, says Nidhi in with a cute serious face.
Ok beta I won't break it, says Vasu with a laugh.
Nidhi shows her index finger slightly folded, cutely asking Vasu to do the same and locking with her's, probably the typical gesture of a pinky promise, and they part their ways. Vasu, to receive guests and make lunch arrangements and Nidhi, to play with her friends.
But a part of Vasu's brain is still trying to find an answer to Nidhi's question.....
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