There is a huge kiraalubogi (Hopea perviflora) tree in front of my house. It is a strong timber tree endemic to India. The tree has a majestic look of a chariot with its bottom twigs spread wide apart and they become shorter twigs at the upper part forming a tip at the top. Once a botanist had come to our home and he was very pleased to see that tree. He said “this tree never gets dried. It remains green throughout”. During that time, I was studying in fourth standard. I was very happy that the tree in front of my house stays green forever!! Next day my teacher took up the lesson on deciduous forests under environmental studies. While giving an introduction about the chapter, she said “Some trees shed their leaves during winter”. Suddenly I remembered about the tree in front of our house which never gets dried up. I told “madam, there is a tree in front of our house. It never gets dried up”. Ma’am said, “Oh is it, what is its name?”
“Kiraalubogi. Its leaves never get dried up”.
“Leaves never get dried up? Who said? Leaves would definitely get dried up”
“No madam, that’s a special tree, as it never gets dried up. Yesterday my father’s friend who is a botanist had come, he spoke about this matter.”
Now the teacher got confused because the information was shared by a botanist! She paused for a while and said, “Oh is it. May be true. I don’t know. I will search about it and tell you tomorrow. Meanwhile give me your phone number. I will ask about that tree from your parents.” Well, I gave the number and I was so confident that I was right.
Later in the evening my father called me and asked if I argued with my teacher whether the Kiraalubogi tree in front of our house never gets dried up. I nodded yes with full confidence giving reference to his friend’s saying. Then he took me on his lap and explained, “My dear, if any tree doesn’t get dried up it doesn’t mean that its leaves never get dried up. But since all the leaves do not get dried up at the same time, the tree remains green throughout.” Then I realized that I had understood it was wrong! I gave a smile, said “Ok” and jumped out of my father’s lap and ran behind my mother.
Now I realise that the kid’s mind is naïve and elders should be careful while telling anything before them. They take verbal meaning of our words. Children at their tender age curiously observe the things happening around them. They possess high grasping power and normally are great absorbers of information. Therefore whatever elders speak in front of them should always be information in total. Otherwise there will be some lacunae in their knowledge. Yet they would believe that whatever they know is right which is called egocentrism in psychology. Parents must be patient enough to answer all the questions, irrespective of how hard it is, to satisfy their curiosity. Children do need lot of stimulations which would enhance their thinking power. In today’s busy world most of the parents do not have time to spend with their younger ones. But it is very essential that parents spend quality time with their kids. Today’s children are future of tomorrow. Build better tomorrow with well informed children.
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