Pari and I are watching a TV show depicting someone's inspirational journey from rags to riches. Both of us feel quite sad as we follow the lead character's struggle through endless hardships and abject poverty. It starts to feel really heavy, and I initiate small talk with Pari as a means to distract us from the show.
Me: Pari, look how tough life is for this person. And he is not lone, this is the life for millions of kids around the world.
Pari: Hmm..(uninterested and taciturn)
Me: (continuing despite no encouragement from the child) You see, how deprived he is? Just wait and watch how wildly successful he will become when he grows up. Success comes to those who beat adversity. What do you know? You are a privileged kid, lounging in aircon all day- at home and at school.
Pari: Hmm..(knows where this leading to and evidently bored)
Me: The children who excel in all big exams are the children who study under a lamp post.
Pari: (suddenly, gets interested) theek hai.. to khareed do ek lamp post mere liye bhi!
(Alright, then buy me a lamp post too.)
I wonder if there is any point giving her any gyaan these days, or if my examples are just too dated to drive the point with kids. We just go back to watching TV.
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