I am quite puzzled by the question I was asked last night by my twelve year old one, after he killed a cockroach while I almost screamed in urgency asking him to do so.
"Why did you make me take the life of a living being that did no harm to me? Why?" He was quite disturbed to see the way the cockroach tried to escape as he could not kill it in one go. Even I felt bad but it was late to change the decision after urging him to kill it ! For some moments I had no words to utter ! We both looked at each other blankly. As it was his bedtime, I was told I made it difficult for him to go to sleep. We closed with a discussion on how to keep them away and letting them live their life !
I might not have answers to such innocent but very meaningful queries but it makes me happy, sad and anxious at the same time, happy, as I see such moments as manifestation of being successful at my attempts, sad as I know he will suffer a lot and anxious for, if, I would be able to nurture and help him retain the attitude to respect life forever !
"Why did you make me take the life of a living being that did no harm to me? Why?" He was quite disturbed to see the way the cockroach tried to escape as he could not kill it in one go. Even I felt bad but it was late to change the decision after urging him to kill it ! For some moments I had no words to utter ! We both looked at each other blankly. As it was his bedtime, I was told I made it difficult for him to go to sleep. We closed with a discussion on how to keep them away and letting them live their life !
I might not have answers to such innocent but very meaningful queries but it makes me happy, sad and anxious at the same time, happy, as I see such moments as manifestation of being successful at my attempts, sad as I know he will suffer a lot and anxious for, if, I would be able to nurture and help him retain the attitude to respect life forever !
