Whimsical 28: Love Vs cuteness

We are returning from a short stroll across the street. We see a cute Indian girl with curly hair trying to balance on the rotary in the senior citizen corner, her grandfather beside her. 

She is wearing a knee length frock decked with flowers of several pastels. 

I comment, "Doesn't she look cute?". 

You respond, "Yeah, did you look like this when you were a child?". 

I said, "Curly hair, yes! But I was chubbier than her. I was rotund". 

You laugh, heartily, "Did your folks use you as a football?". 

I laugh, "No da! I was the apple of their eyes. Everybody in the family literally adored me". 

And I try to wear a philosophical hat, "It was my fault that I assumed that all that adoration was love, but it was ......", I stumble for words, when you pick up, "You assumed it was love, while it was all their response to cuteness". I agree, "Yes, they had adored the cuteness, which I didn't deserve or earn. I did nothing to sport a cute look, didn't I?". 

You agree, and point well taken. I hope you have taken the essence of this conversation. 

Whimsical 27: நன்றி மறப்பது

We are amidst our morning routine - wake up, brush up, wash, pray, eat, wear school uniform and leave home. There is a small window of dialogues and conversations during the 5min we eat. Almost everyday. Today, as I feed the coconut milk drenched aapam in pure white, it melts in your mouth and slides through your tongue. I am hoping that this keeps your acids engaged for the rest of the school day, and your stomach is moist like your moist, warm heart that beats for all.  

I begin the conversation, "Let me introduce a new Thirukkural. Here we go:

"நன்றி மறப்பது நன்றன்று நன்றல்ல

தன்றே மறப்பது நன்று"

You can't absorb anything without knowing its meaning. You don't just want to be introduced. You want to really know and you are ready to go into that journey of knowing every time- like how Velpaari's men walk through forest under the pretext of காடறிதல். So, you ask for its meaning. And I explain:

You should always stay grateful for all the good things in life, be grateful for the people who do good. Likewise, forget all sour/bitter experiences. Forget the bad things people do to you.

Without a second thought, you snap back:

"ம்க்கும், மத்தவங்க செஞ்ச தீங்க மறந்துட்டு, நீ திரும்ப திரும்ப அவங்க கிட்ட போ. அவங்க திரும்ப திரும்ப உனக்கு தீங்கு செய்யட்டும்"

I am astounded. And speechless. I am sure we will continue this conversation. Another day. Until then, let me ponder over the verse and reflect on it!