How To Answer A Child When They Ask You About What You Do
It was perhaps a few weeks ago, I was sitting with my younger cousins fairly between the ages of 5–12. I usually keep children company whenever I visit my village as youthfulness can mend any broken heart or so they say. It can refresh your soul and perspective on life, even your mood as well.
My youngest cousin came to me with a bright look on his face, and asks me,
“Abi(brother), what do you do?”
I ask earnestly, “what do you mean?”
He responds, with a shy look on his face as most young boys are, “do you study, or work?”
I reply while patting his head, “Well, I am a software engineer.”
With a surprised look, on his face, he asks, “what is a software engineer?”
This question was pretty surprising perhaps, as to how to tell a child in simple terms so that he can be inspired and aspire to understand and reflect on the question and perhaps the answer. I always take challenges seriously, as there are so many opportunities that preside in them for myself and everyone. Thus I asked everyone to simmer down and huddle up around as I had a tale to tell everyone.
“Children will remember their favorite book, but they will also remember their favorite lap.” ― Krystal Fernandes
Everyone huddled up, together on the sofa. And I started to answer it with a story perhaps. I asked the children, about God.
They replied with a bright joyous look and said: “yes God, created us.”
But then I asked, “do you know how we were created.” to this question with their bewildered faces, nodding “no.”
“Well, see here. God first created the body from a pint of blood. You know how you see an egg, and if the hen sits on it, for longer periods. A chick comes out of it.
Just like that, God fashioned the body from a pint of blood, he placed the heart in the center of your chest, so that you would know where to find him. He is always there, whenever you need him in your center. Just like that, he created all your body parts, with a specific purpose in mind.
But there was something that was missing, something that God wanted to imbue you with, a soul. Without the soul, the body is just a body. It won’t have a life and won’t have a purpose altogether.
Thus he created your soul, and breathed life into your body.” — The children were amazed by how God was amazing.
I replied,
“Indeed, just like God fashioned the body from clay and blood and put a soul in it to function properly — I as a software engineer instill the same principle into machines.”
They were laughing, and discussing how a human being could do something that even God could do. So the little one asks me, “but how do you do that?”
I assure him,
“Well just like God, created the body, and the soul. Some people create a machine with nuts and bolts. Then when the body is created, it’s my role to write it’s purpose through a computer. I write what it will do, and what it can’t do so that it performs well for what it was built for.”
The little one says, with a joyous look on his face, “Just like God built us!”
I reply with a surprised look, on how easily they picked up,
“Indeed, just like he created our heart, mind, body, and soul to play a specific role. I write and create software that is the soul of the machine.”
In short, A Software Engineer breathes life into machines.
So one of their friends stands up and asks in excitement,
“Can I become one! with a grin on his face.”
I reply by patting him,
“Of course, anyone can become one. But you have to listen to your mum and study real good. So that one day, you will be creating life in honoring with what God has given us.”
Afterward, I asked everyone to relish as juice boxes on me so they ran to a nearby store and I followed slowly. While my little cousin walked with me, holding my pinky finger as we were laughing and thrilled to enjoy some fresh chilled Mango Juice with the gang.
“Children must be taught how to think, not what to think.” ― Margaret Mead
We were children once, I perhaps still am. My inner child walks with me as I walk this earth in search of adventure and joy. Children need warmth and comfort. They always need a friend, if we choose to become one then we can surely change their life for the better.
“If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales.” ― Albert Einstein
The following story will perhaps build volumes of strength and character in these children, that’s why proper parenting matters as children are our treasure. I have always been asked a myriad of questions by children, as I usually work with them and I thrive among them.
“The soul is healed by being with children.” ― Fyodor Dostoevsky
They are indeed my pride and joy when I am among them. It never gets old, and neither do I when you’re running with them. When you pique a child’s curiosity, always remember to improvise.
If a child is curious to ask a question, they are mature enough to know the answer — but you have to improvise to inspire and aspire.
There is always an opportunity to learn and improve ourselves. This is one such, where we can not only change ourselves but help other people change as well. Thus, always grasp firmly onto it whenever it arises as it will work miracles work for everyone vested in it.
Thank you so much for reading.
Stay Blessed and Stay Safe!
