Children Are Fascinating When It Comes To Teaching A Skill

The small hands that weave divine blessings for anyone that comes across their way.

Life as a child was an awe-inspiring journey, as I would run the grounds and occasionally trip. My shoelaces would unwind, and I would fall badly on the ground. Brushing the injury off with some dirt, and start running back again.

I had a poor habit of not tying my shoelaces properly. I had a friend long ago, he used to play with me when I was in first grade. Though I was 6 back then, He was a good lad — he used to share his lunch with me. He would save a seat for me every day when I would arrive.

He would tell others by placing his bag on the seat, that it’s for me. One of my besties as a kid, though our only interaction was during school — we were like two peas in a pod, the pod is our classroom.

As a child, you are fascinated with people — I still am even though I am much older and twice as strong. Though, there were moments where I was taught about life’s little philosophies and joys from other children as well.

When it comes to learning and teaching — children are perhaps the best at this craft. Because they can show and exemplify a subject matter in such simple terms that learning it becomes a piece of cake — a sweet one at that, Yummy.

I would usually tumble during the recess, so one day — my friend came to me and asked: “what’s the problem?”

I said, *sobbing* “I keep tripping because I can’t seem to tie my shoes properly.” He said, to me “It’s all right, come here and sit down on the stairs — I’ll teach you.”

I sat on the stairs, he gave me a bubble gum and asked me to chew it while he showed me how to tie shoelaces the right way.

Step 1: You stretch the two ends together in the same length so that they match each other’s size. Step 2: You then take a cross between them and tie them. Step 3: Now take each end in the form of a loop, and then tie those loops together. Step 4: You can tie each loop twice but once is nice, tie the loops as if the laces smile.

After that he told, me to run a lap and if the shoelaces still keep intact. Then your shoelaces will withstand for an entire day, regardless of activity or condition.

Chewing gum while you watch something, actually helps a lot. He then asked me, “let’s go join the others, they’re waiting.” He grabbed my hand, and I ran smiling towards our friends waiting in the sunlight grounds for our arrival.

My friend taught me the value of kindness, through tying a shoelace. He also taught me how to harness attention, and to empathize with someone. At his age, he did something that most adults can’t even think of. He showed a kindness that helped me grow as a person. As an extension of his kindness, I was able to instill the same sentiment he showed me on that fateful day.

Even my mother was surprised that I was able to tie my shoelaces myself. So she saved that time, hugging me and blessing me with kisses whenever I would get ready for school.

Kindness doesn’t need any reason or price.

It is priceless, and it is heavenly — we all can become kind, as it is the choice of being one that matters. It will help someone in need and perhaps act as the only light some people have.

“Be the reason someone smiles. Be the reason someone feels loved and believes in the goodness in people.” ― Roy T. Bennett

My friend was a wise child, a few of his kind during my childhood that I came across. I have only met a few people who show the tremendous spirit that he showed me. Though, at that moment he had the same value as a parent no doubt, for me at least.

I believe children can teach us the fundamental ways of life that we have forgotten as we have grown up. We conditioned ourselves in the norms of society forgetting our true purpose and ourselves in the process.

We need to go back and pick up where we left off. Our inner child deserves at least that. Someone is waiting for us, at the end of the tunnel — it’s the smiling child in all of us, who’s waving till we come home.

I wonder at times, where did he learn what he taught me — I believe he understood the nature of life, love, and kindness as did I. He knew the essence of caring, and he showed it regardless. Though in that age, children weren’t that open he was different. I once asked him, “why are you so kind, and he told me that he just is.”

I found it hard to understand back then, but now I do. It just is, when you believe you can show it, do it and make it happen. It feels as if I became a funnel through what his kindness inspired in me. I was able to understand it much clearly from his perspective. Though these were not the only ones that he taught me, there were more — so much more, that I understood through observing what he did.

I have been able to use the form of kindness he taught me, with others in this world. He perhaps was the example that small moment’s matter, and sometimes we have to step in. Even when others don’t.

He came when I needed, So I became someone who completed the needs of others as well. Because I remembered what he taught me, that true kindness is the moment you choose to care for another who cries within.

It fills you with courage that you can bring a smile on their faces.

A lesson he taught me, along with my laces that stand out even in the harshest of crowds. The compliments I usually get are warm and funny. Because my shoelaces still smile with toughness, the way he taught me.

Thank you for reading.