Shocker

Recently we let a couple of neighbourhood boys to come and play in our house with Chandra and Datta. These boys are around 10 years - a little older than my boys, but wanted to play in our house nevertheless. I watched them all play for a few minutes and seeing them get along well I went inside to get on with my work. They could play any of the board games, sports, toys etc., I told them - so I was looking forward to some undisturbed stretch of time.

I got on my laptop, caught some news headlines and after a few minutes - was about to start on my tasks when Datta ran in crying.

'He's catching my balls'.

I was shocked - and didn't understand what he's saying at first. I asked him to calm down and probed him further ... for which he said again, without calming down - 'I am playing and he's always catching my balls'. I was aghast at what the kids are learning these days - and from where - at such a young age. I was about to resolve not to let unknown and half-known kids in to play. I ran out to check out who was doing that and scold them.

A plethora of thoughts ran through my mind - in those few seconds it took for me to go out into the ground. Should I find out who did it and scold him? Or explain to him what's indecent behavior and not allowed in our house? Or should I go and talk to his parents instead?

When I went out, Chandra was batting and the neighbourhood boys were bowling and fielding. Since they are a little older, they are pretty much catching any ball that went up in the air. What can I say then? I looked down at Datta and he's still sobbing, with his face red from the hurt - I understood now - for getting caught every ball.

Who's at fault here? The neighbourhood kids, Datta, Me or the language?

Swasti!!