The Effervescent Kid

Some kids are relatively quiet from birth while some tend to be edgy. Few others neither fit this billing. While there are no hard and fast rules for behavioral classification of kids, there is always a tendency among parents to assign their kids a category – Introvert, talkative, shy, fearless, angry, disruptive and the list is endless.

There are 3-year old’s who are simply classified as strong willed. With such kids, parents and peers alike need to pick their battles very carefully. You cannot simply argue about everything and try to get them to follow your steps. This will effectively turn them into an outcast resulting in tempestuous tantrums at all times.

I’m obliged to narrate an incident about a 3-year old kid. This takes place in a town gorgeously nestled within the green hills, while being connected to the national highway. The kid along with his mother, had been on a visit to his grandmother’s abode to stay for a month. Due to the lockdown neither had seen each other for over half a year. The Grandmother eagerly awaited to meet her grandson. Although, she had little idea as to how far the kid had developed his inter personal skills amalgamated with heightened crankiness.

On a lazy morning, with clear skies and the ground basking under the relentless gaze of the sun, the kid woke up even before his mother. Trudging along with his toy car, he refused to get his teeth brushed by Grandmother, while insisting he be given his morning dessert. When the Grandmother stoically refused to oblige to his demand, the kid enthused commotion by hurling everything that he could lay his hands upon including stationary items, clothes and even utensils. Unable to handle the chaos, the mother was summoned from her slumber. Grudgingly, the mother had to wake up to handle the kid.

Post brushing his teeth, the kid once again stuck to his demand. This time the Grandmother assured that they will go to the shop situated on the highway to buy him chocolate on condition that he have breakfast first. The kid seemed pacified, but the mother suspected a mischievous spark in his eyes. After breakfast the ladies in the house got busy with household chores preparing for the next meal. Meanwhile, the kid seizing his opportunity, quietly sneaked out of the door and made his way through the house lawns and reached the main gate.

He unbolted the gate and marched his way out on the road stomping his feet while swinging his hands. The confident stride was akin to soldier marching towards his mission. There was only one task in his mind, the big prize at the shop counter. When he turned around the corner of the road, he had reached the highway. A trailer truck had just zoomed past, with the agitated air ruffling his hairs.

Meanwhile, back at the house, it was peculiarly quiet. The mother immediately sensed the eerie silence. It was unlike her restless child to be quiet. She called him out a couple of times, but there was no response. Casually, she came out of the kitchen and to her horror she saw the main door ajar.

She frantically called out her mother and checked with her, the Grandmother was caught unawares. They both bolted out of the door onto the main verandah, calling out his name as loud as their vocal cords could support. They checked with the neighbors next doors and did not receive any affirmative response. The world seemed to be crashing down upon the mother. All the negative thoughts rushed through her. Imagine being in the mothers’ shoes; not knowing the whereabouts of your kid! She could barely stand and had to lean on her mother for support. She felt destitute. She was a sea of emotions.

Unfazed by the speeding vehicles on the highway, the kid walked excitedly towards the shop and upon reaching the shop, confidently pointed out what he wanted. At first, the shopkeeper waited to check if any of his parent would make a formal request. When no one seemed in sight, a surprised shopkeeper asked the kid about his parents. The onlookers stopped chatting amongst themselves upon over hearing the conversation. The kid replied that his mother is at home and this time sternly demanded what he was looking for. He even extended his arm and unfolded the money he had held tightly in his fists. The shopkeeper, filled with disbelief, realizing the no-nonsense attitude, refused to take the money and quietly handed over the chocolate and the toy. Clutching the assets under his armpits, he made his way back after a courteous nod and a soft thank you to the shopkeeper. With a huge chortle on his face he marched his way back. One could be forgiven to think a soldier was carrying his country’s flag on his way home after a stupendous victory. He bolted the main gate back and moved swiftly across the lawn.

The mother was starting to worry and was about to make a distress call to her husband to share the concern. Out of the corner of her eye, she witnessed a slim figure moving towards her. It only took her a second to realize. She immediately ran out in the same direction. The kid looking at his mother also started to run as fast as he could. They hugged each other tightly. Each with completely different set of sentiments. The kid brazenly showcased his triumph and proudly declared to the mother his prized possession. The mother, with tears welled up and threatening to burst through, could not hold back. She was only glad to see her beloved son safely back in her arms.

The Grandmother watched the spectacle quietly and calmly made one pact to herself, she would never leave this kid alone, not under her own watch.