Words on Children

As I wandered through the villages, I reminded myself of Kahlil Gibran's words on children: You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you.

The Nepali people treasure their children; the villagers share responsiblity, older children carry the young, and animals offer food and protection. The landscape, surrounded by mountains, is their playground, and their strength comes from running up and down the hills that we so laborously climb. Without connections to technology, children make up games, sing songs, laugh easily and talk freely. Just being around them lifts the spirits of weary travelers yet leaves unsolved puzzles for future pondering.

Everywhere we went, the children greeted us with Nameste and smiles. Our limited Nepali served us well; we talked about their ages, their goats and their villages. We exchanged names and songs. They laughed at our "alli alli Neepali" and practiced their "alli alli angreji" (English).

The children loved to have their pictures made so they could see themselves in review. I regret that we did not have a camera that produced pictures on the spot.

The marriage ceremony for four year old girls assures them that they will have status in their old age if their husband dies. They are married to fruit! It works for them.