One night while I was working in Emergency Room (ER) a child was brought for a right forearm X-ray. I asked his mum to come with me so that the child wouldn’t feel alone with a stranger. To my surprise, he told me that he didn’t want his mum to come with him. This was quite unusual as mostly children would oppose when we tell them that their parents can’t be with them in room while we take X-rays. I again asked him if his mum at least can see from the window next to the X-ray room. “Nooo, not even from the window,” he said in a painful voice. I decided not to ask any more questions to him. I took him to the room and asked him to take off the sling that he was wearing. He not only took it off himself but also moved his forearm in different positions to get the X-rays from different views without a single drop of tear. There were two fractures at either end of his forearm. I was already amazed by his courage and endurance. After taking X-rays, as I was about to

put back his sling, he said, “You know, my mum has a weak heart. She wouldn’t have been able to see my fractured arm. That’s why I didn’t want her to come with me.” He was six years old. I hugged him and took him back to his mum. That day this six year old taught me what real love is.

— Raj Shrestha, Upstate Medical University,

Syracuse, NY

According to Hindu Mythology, children are the incarnation of Lord Krishna, who, as a child, taught people various lessons of life. Children teach us that there is happiness even in small things and this has influenced me a lot. I have learnt that even the smallest happiness counts in life. This positive perception of mine towards life has transformed me into an optimist. I have realised that life becomes worth living only if we can be happy even about minor things.

— Krisha Amatya,

Kumaripati, Lalitpur

It is obvious that elders who have seen so many ups and downs in life can teach us a lot about life. And getting their advice would definitely help us to go ahead in our life. However we can also learn many things from children. Honesty, true love, impartiality are just a few things that we can learn from children. If people across the world take all these qualities of childhood and implement them throughout their lives, the world would be a wonderful place to live. Honestly speaking, we can hardly find people with these qualities. Hence, I request all the people, though you are mature enough, please watch children and learn honesty, true love and impartiality from them so that it can bring positive changes in your life.

— Ram Baniya,

Dhumbarahi, Kathmandu

Usually, people are always told to follow their elders’ advice. The reason behind this being that elders have more experience, knowledge, education, idea et cetera than the younger ones. But I don’t exactly agree with this although it is true. For I know we can learn a lot from children as well. I would like to give an example of Kamal Nepali who had rescued a small girl from the gorge of Seti river this year. I was very much inspired by his courage and goodwill.

He has proved that children can do lot of things that elders wont. After witnessing this incident I have made a commitment to myself to help people when they are in trouble. I have even fulfilled this commitment by taking accident victims to hospital.

— Gopal Khanal, Pokhara

There are definitely many things that we can learn from children which will help us change our views in life. Usually children use their sub-conscious mind more and this helps them notice actions more than words. When children are able to understand the actions and words of adults, they try to copy each and every action. Also when they see new objects they want to touch and feel them.

Once, I was shaving my beard while my three-year-old niece was sitting next to me. After I had finished shaving I left my razor there. She immediately picked up the razor and tried copying me. When I saw this is got the razor from her hand and this incident made me realise to be aware of my actions when my niece is around.

— Rajash Thapa,

Chunikhel, Kathmandu

I believe that the statement “juniors should learn and elders must teach” is more of a stereotyped notion. In fact, sometimes, the situation might be the other way round. Life is all about experience which makes use learn. As the saying goes “Wise men learn from others’ experience”. It doesn’t matter whether they are elders or youngers, we should learn from their experience if we are to succeed in this world.

— Sparsh Dutta,

Biratnagar-13

Yes, definitely all of us are told to follow what our elders tell us to do. Since our elders have more experience and are more mature than us, the general perception is that following them is for our own betterment. But it doesn’t mean that we cannot learn from kids or someone who is younger to us. Yes, I have also learned a lot from kids and also from people younger to me. For example, kids, regardless of their age, are always smiling and happy. They live an active life playing sports and running around. They seem to be more curious about life and pick up things very fast. They seem to be have more joyous lives when compared to adults stressful lives. These qualities of children, (although they do not preach me about it) has influenced me a lot and it has given me a balanced view towards the essential things in my life. I have learned to be more responsible but at the same time giving enough time for myself after watching children enjoying their lives to the fullest.

— Cool Cristofer,

Lake Side

There are several things that can one can learn from those younger to them. I have come across many such situations when someone younger than me has been an inspiration. For instance, when I come across a new terminology and ask help from my elder brother he often scolds me saying, “Don’t you know that much.” He never provides me complete and satisfactory information. But if my younger sister knows something than she provides me all the information. So, I have learnt that children are more helpful and more patient than elders.

— Rajesh Rimal

Children teach us how to be truthful and straightforward. Sometimes we grown ups are in the habit of speaking in riddles in effort to be diplomatic and often keep things to ourselves. No wonder, it’s us grown ups who suffer from hypertension and depression. See how quickly children quarrel over hitting each other with Barbies, but see, it is they who become best of friends. The kids may complain of rules like going to bed before eight, but childhood is the most free and innocent phase of one’s life. It maybe difficult for the adults to lead such a life when they have so many things to deal with, but it can be experienced to some extent if you really try. It depends on the individual to take time out for fun stuffs like doing hoopla (and that is not just to lose weight), playing with your pet and all the small things you choose to ignore and instead sit in front of the idiot box. It is either work or that, when is it last that you saw the green? Okay, not talking about today’s kids who are no better when it comes to choosing between the TV and outdoors, haven’t you ever thought of leaving behind all tension, all concerns, for a single moment just to take some time out for yourself? Sometimes it is better to act by instinct than a long analysis of the situation and sometimes it is good to do things and have no reason behind it. A kid will squeal and pick up a puppy he finds on the road, how many times do you think before doing that? And panicking over things like hectic schedule will not help, do it a child’s way, and take it easy.

— Rhea Gurung,

Maharajgung