A Stroll in the Playground

Summary

A woman shares her experience of witnessing the joy and laughter of children and geese in a park, and the humorous incident of being mistaken for a grandmother by a young boy.

Abstract

The author describes her daily strolls to a nearby park during the pandemic, where she observes the happiness of children as they return to the reopened playground. She listens to the sounds of children's laughter and the honking of geese, and wonders if geese can laugh. The author then recounts an amusing incident where a young boy mistakes her for his grandmother due to their similar attire. The article emphasizes the importance of laughter and enjoying life's simple pleasures.

Bullet points

The author takes daily walks to a park near her home during the pandemic.
The park has a playground, lakes, and a variety of wildlife, including geese.
Children are excited to return to the playground after its closure due to the pandemic.
The author listens to the sounds of children's laughter and geese honking.
She wonders if geese can laugh and finds a video of a laughing goose online.
A young boy mistakes the author for his grandmother due to their similar clothing.
The author and the boy's actual grandmother share a laugh over the mix-up.
The article highlights the importance of laughter and enjoying life's simple pleasures.

The symphony of heartfelt laughter

A relaxing read for your tea break to ground your overactive mind.

Throughout the pandemic, I’ve been taking a daily stroll to the park near my home. It has a big field of grass, a rose garden, two lakes, many ducks and trees, and a functional playground for children.

A little guy in a bright yellow down jacket runs towards the playground, his coat wraps around his little body, tumbling along like a miniature Michelin man.

Children are elated by the reopening of the playground. It was closed during the toughest time of Covid-19. I saw many children crying and begging for a swing during those days. It was spring then, but it felt like a deadly winter.

But sorrow no more! It’s now winter and the park is available for all. Mums are very sensible, not allowing children to mix just yet. Children impatiently but politely wait for their turn on the green slide.

Laughter is the best cure

I am standing not far from the playground by the lake, listening to the beautiful orchestra of children’s laughter to my left and Canada geese’s honk to my right. A gaggle of geese approach the bank, revealing their grey-brown webbed feet, sassy as always.

What are they saying to each other? Do geese joke? Can they laugh? I quickly checked online and found videos about a laughing goose:

I hope they are laughing, both the children and the geese. There’s nothing more soothing than a hearty laugh. Life can’t be all serious and doom, it has to be fun too.

The best kind of laugh is the natural one, stimulated by the pure joy of the activities they are doing. The excitement from rolling down the slide, the happiness from finding food. A hilarious joke, friends did something silly…

Suddenly, the tiny Michelin man in a yellow jacket runs towards me and holds my hand. He tries to drag me somewhere and screams, “Nan! Help me get on the monkey bars! Please!”

I am a 31-year-old slender and tall woman with long black hair, how can he mistake me as his grandma? Have the laughing geese use magic to turn me old?

An old lady runs towards me and picks up the Michelin man’s hand. “She’s too young to be your nan!” and the little guy turns around and looks at me. We both startle.

True nan and fake nan look at each other and burst out in laughter at the same time. We are wearing the same clothes! Purple down jacket, black trousers and white trainers, no wonder the boy mistook us in a rush!

At one point in the park today, the Canada geese, the children and two identical women participated in the symphony of heartfelt laughter.

Have you laughed today?

I hope this is a relaxing break. If you want more of this type of articles, please give me claps and leave me a comment! I also post similar soothing articles every Sunday on my Instagram.