Clever little rascal!

Children can be clever little rascals! Here is a true story about one of them.

Once upon a time, there was a little boy who was sleepy on a warm, windy afternoon. He was nodding off in his chair when his father saw him. It was evening then and the father did not want him to sleep at that time as it might cause him to be less sleepy at nine o’clock that night. So, the father told the little boy, he was taking him to the coffee-shop nearby to have something to eat.

The little boy, upon hearing of a bicycle ride to the coffee-shop, instantly lost whatever sleepiness he had and quickly followed. It was not every day that the little boy had the chance to go to a coffee-shop. In fact it was a luxury as his father was far from rich. Although the trip there was somewhat bumpy, he enjoyed it. After all he got a free massage which loosened every joint in his body and jolted him awake.

At the coffee-shop, the father ordered some iced mixed fruits and ice-kacang. (Ice-kacang is a bowl of ice shavings with red beans, nuts and maize as well as a beautifully coloured syrup promising a real sweet treat.) He enjoyed the food so much that he was truly glad he did almost dozed off; thus attracting the attention of the father. It certainly was a dream come true!

With the youthful wisdom that what had taken place could happen again; at approximately the same time, he sat in the same chair and pretended to doze when the father was heard approaching.

As expected, the father told him not to sleep but to follow him to the shop again. Again, he got to enjoy the tasty food served there.

His knowledge of handling his father had gained him lovely treats at the shop. He did not waste that knowledge but made full use of it for quite a long time. Experience had taught him parents did fall for certain tricks and here was one which worked miraculously for many years to come.

I know the above did happen because I was that clever little rascal who made full use of the situation.

You see, children can understand and benefit from situations. They can test adults to see how far or how long the knowledge can benefit them. In a way, we can say that children can use and manipulate adults to achieve certain needs or wants.

Every child does it, the good, the naughty and the pampered; (the good, the bad and the ugly.).

For every child, especially the good ones, this may lead to harmless, praiseworthy mind development. Certainly, it takes intelligence to manoeuvre one's parents. Don't you think so?