The boys and I were taking a walk around our estate one warm evening. Amidst the peaceful evening, the boys were as usual fighting to walk in front of each other as well as fighting who should be the leader of the walk. I just left them to sort the problem out themselves. Somehow after a while, they settled. They seemed to have reached an agreement. And we continued to chat happily while we walked until Athan asked me this question:
Athan: Mum, how come birds can stand on the power line and be alive?
Calvin: yeah, why mum?
Me: You mean how come the birds are not electrocuted, meaning killed by the electricity?
Athan: Yeah.
Me: *trying hard to form an answer for the boys when I honestly did not know the correct answer* Why do you ask this now?
Athan: Because I want to know.
Calvin: Maybe because they stand on their claw?
Me: Maybe …. but I will go home and use google to find the correct answer because I don’t know why as well (at least I was honest!).
Calvin: What’s google?
Me: Its something on the internet that helps people to search for answers to all sorts of questions.
Calvin: Oh mum, then you can google to find out if God made himself! Yeah, mum, I want to know how did God make himself!
Me: *totally not ready for such questions* Well, I thought we already know God did not need to make himself? He has always been there.
Calvin : But how?
……………………..
I know Calvin is still very bothered by his own question. The husband and I have tried to explain to him many times that God did not make himself but he just can’t seem to accept it just like that. I guess his little brain is inquisitive at this stage of his life. Hopefully as he grows up he will be able to accept that there’s some mystery in the Christian faith that cannot be explained.
I am also quite surprised by Athan’s question. This little man has never asked me such a question. He surprises me sometimes. I did go home and google for the correct answer. However, the answers I found were quite complicated and I am not sure how to simplify it. I just told the boy that birds do get shocked by the electricity when they stand on the power lines, but their bodies are able to take it because it is not live electricity on the power lines. They seemed happy with my answer — for now!
When I recounted the conversation to the husband, he laughed out hard and said that that was the best conversation he has heard so far! 🙂
——————————————————————————————————————-
Calvin has always been fearful of darkness. He is afraid of going to the toilet by himself if the hall is not lighted. When we got home from our walk, I asked the boys to go wash their hands and feet. By this time, the sun had nearly set and the front living area was in semi-darkness. Athan went straight to the bathroom and cleaned himself while Calvin went to talk to his dad. When I reminded him to get washed, he said:
Calvin: But I am scared to go to the bathroom by myself. Its dark there.
Me: Just turn on the lights and you will be fine.
Athan: Ya, “gor gor” (big brother) you have to learn!
*really sounded like the husband!*
Me: *trying very hard not to laugh*
Calvin: *growled at Athan* I want you to come with me!
Athan: You are big now, you have to learn!
Calvin: If you don’t come with me, I will never build you another spaceship, but if you come with me I will ……
Athan: *no response. He did not seem to care what his brother was saying*
Me: *going to laugh out loud* Athan just go with your brother. Be good.
Athan: O….K…!
Both boys ran to the bathroom and within less than a minute, I heard Athan said: ” bye! I’m off!” That really set Calvin on *fire*! I think Athan knows his brother weakness and simply enjoys making fun of him. I hope this is part of their brotherly love. 🙂