Corona Virus through the eyes of Kids (Part I)

It has been a long time since I wrote something. I got into some mess, didn't get time. Still into some issues, but still, from now on, I will try my best to write something at least once a week.

My neighbour's daughter Nikita , 9 years old, currently in class 3, had her birthday recently. I was there for the celebration. She is mad about birthdays, cakes, balloons, gifts, party and all that stuff as we were as children.

However, party got over, everybody left, rather early, thanks to Corona virus. Party was not as pompous as she thought it would be. So, she was quite bummed out.

One of the very beautiful things about children is that they are honest, from inside as well as outside. They don't fake, don't hide emotions. And hence, their action, facial expressions, etc speaks volumes about what they are feeling.

While everybody left, I stayed for dinner. I was watching T.V while everybody else were busy in their own things. Mostly mobile phones. But, Nikita was just sitting on the sofa, alone, neither watching T.V nor mobile, just staring at the wall in front of her putting her face between her hands. Her face looked like a mixture of sadness and confusion with a bit of anxiety. 

I thought, why not talk to her, let's find out what is bothering her. After all, it was her birthday. So, I sat beside her, and our conversation started. It was longer than I expected it to be. Here it goes... 

( I will use 'N' for Nikita and 'I' for me)

I: So, madam, what's up? All good?

N: Nothing is good. Everything is bad. 

I: Even me?

N: Yes, even you. Everything in this world, in this universe. Everything is bad.

I: Hey!! I am not bad. I am the most goodest person you will ever meet in your life.

N: (mocking me with a laughter) You don't even know English. There is nothing like goodest. It is 

wrong. You must use 'best' instead of most goodest.

I: Oh! I see. 

N: By the way, I don't want to talk to anybody.

I: But why? It's your birthday, let me tell you a funny story.

N: Oh! Shut up. I am bored with your stories, they are not funny anymore, they are just boring. I am not in Kindergarten anymore. I am 9 years old. Stop telling those nonsense stories.

I: Okiee, So do you want to listen about Yes Bank crisis and several monetary policy decisions taken by RBI recently?

N: (Confused and irritated) What? What is all that? What is monetary policy? What is RBI?

I: You just said you don't want stories.

N: Well I didn't ask about Yes Bank and that RBI thing either. Did I?

I: Fine! So tell me what's the problem?

N: ( Sad again, pushing her lips inside her mouth and her cheeks bulging out) Why everybody left so early, and why everybody were wearing masks, was it a hospital or birthday party?

I: You heard about corona virus?

N: Yes, you yourself were lecturing about it yesterday. 

I: So?

N: So what? You think I had invited everybody here to spread corona virus? Or to celebrate my goddamn birthday!!! 

I: Easy girl, easy! Don't get angry. I understand how you feel. 

N: (Giving a disgusted look) How can you understand how I feel. You never celebrate your birthday. You never invite anyone. You are the most boring dude, I ever met in my life. 

I: Well, thank you. So, coming to the point. They were wearing masks because they were worried and cautious. If anybody gets infected, not only he risks his life but everybody else's as well, even yours. You already know how it spreads, right? Imagine in your birthday party, if people get infected, how would you feel? So it's better to take care of yourselves, right? You know, "Prevention is better than cure".

N: (Thinking with her fingers sliding on her chin) If that is the case, then we shouldn't celebrate anything, right? Nothing at all. Just be in home, eat and sleep. That's it?

I: Exactly.

N: (Thinking with the same posture, this time her eyes more intense) You know those construction workers working nearby? They shouldn't be working then. Why are they working? They can get infected too. And then everybody will get infected. So what's the point?

I: Yeah, well, if they stop working, how will they earn money? If they do not earn money, how will they buy food?

N: What's the point of earning money if they get infected and die? 

I: Yes, I understand. But we can balance it out. If we take care of some things, like washing hands regularly and ...

N: Blah blah blah. I know all that.

I: Then, we can work while being safe. That's why people in your party came and enjoyed too while taking care of themselves.

N: (Her facial expression changed from curious to satisfactory) Hmm, so that's what it was all about.

I: Yes. now you okay?

N: No.

I: Now what?

N: You were not wearing any mask. You didn't follow any of the precautionary things you were lecturing about yesterday. Why? You think, you are a hero? Just moving around in my house without any precaution?

                                                                  * To be continued*