The little girl
smiled. Her father noticed it though he
was leading her by hand to their car in the parking lot. He was taking her home after school. He noticed her smile because he saw the
bearded man sitting under a tree with a book in hand smiling at his
daughter.
“Who is it?” Father asked the daughter.
“Who?” asked the girl in
return.
“The man who smiled at
you.”
“Don’t know.”
“Why did you smile at him
then?”
“Because he smiled.”
“Don’t smile at
strangers,” he said sternly as he helped her on to the seat.
“Why dad?”
“Because,” he
hesitated. How is he to explain to a
four year-old child why strangers are potential enemies. “Because, strangers may not be good people.”
She looked at him. Did she expect an explanation? She had started asking a lot of why’s these
days.
How can I explain this to
you, my daughter? How can I tell you
that most smiles today carry poison?
Invisible poison. You won’t even
understand how smiles can carry poison.
Do you know the meaning of fangs?
You have never seen the fangs beneath smiles, have you?
A time will come when the
world will teach you about fangs and their poison. Do you think I don’t like smiles? If only people could smile like you, the
world would be as lovely a place as Monet’s Garden. But even you will lose your smile as you grow
up. The world will steal it. The world’s smoothest tongues will lick it
up. Because all smooth tongues stick out
from some masks. Masks, my little girl,
masks rule the world.
PS. A real incident motivated this post. I’m taking the liberty to post a second entry
to Indispire’s current theme of #masks. Interestingly, I was averse to the theme and
had not voted for it. I find myself
making a double entry now. :)
A sad world we are living in..where we have to warn our children about strangers smiling..where four year olds are introduced to a society that dons masks..hiding the evil within :(
ReplyDeleteThe real situation is much more formidable than what I have written. Masks are inevitable. What about the assaults girls face? Even little ones are not spared.
DeleteIn fact smile is a very popular mask
ReplyDeletePrecisely. But how much is concealed is the problem.
DeleteSo many types of smiles are there... i wonder when i think, so many types of mentality there....
ReplyDeleteThat reminds me of a lady who was my boss for a couple of years. She could smile in umpteen ways. Some of her smiles meant termination of services!
DeleteSmiles are deceptive these days!
ReplyDeletePainfully so.
DeleteThis post deepened my sadness. If only smiles were pure, and innocent!
ReplyDeleteIf only! Alas the world has changed irrevocably.
DeleteSad but true!
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately.
DeleteProbably she would grow up to raise an indelible smile, that would stand the test of poison and saliva of deception.
ReplyDeleteI doubt. The world steals our smiles. Loss of innocence is necessary for growing up.
DeleteVery touching and sensitive scenario. And so sad but so true! Irony of life.
ReplyDeleteChildren are lovely because of their innocence. If only the innocence could last!
Delete