Issue #6: Childhood Chronicles
A trip down memory lane.
In This Issue:
Editorial Note
The Girl Who Begs
Bullet Points of Mischief
Lessons Learned from Childhood fame
Share your childhood legendaries
Editorial Note
I usually get this reaction when I reunite with people (Adults mostly) who knew me as a child: they open their mouths, cup their chins, and chant, “Rabi, Rabi…”
Their shock stems from their memories of me saying or doing something quirky. It’s as though they’re investigating their memories and questioning their validity.
I do wonder though, if all the legendary tales about me are real or exaggerated?
I hope this issue makes you smile as you recall tales from your own childhood that you have no memories of, but your relatives swear occurred.
The Girl Who Begs
This incident I remember. My mother and my aunty were in the living room, sitting on brown sofas and discussing the issue of children begging their classmates for food in school, disregarding their own robust lunch boxes. Naturally, the act was condemned. I listened, guilt and confusion thrumming in my stomach, for I knew that I too belonged to the group of children being spotlighted - kind of.
I wobbled to the centre of the living room and confessed, “I beg too, but only for popcorn.”
My classmate habitually brought popcorn to school. It was heavenly. I don’t think I knew I was wrong, I just wanted the popcorn. So, I asked, and I kept asking, until his sister rightfully reported me to my sister. I don’t remember if I stopped asking, I hope I did.
Bullet Points of Mischief - Things “they” said I did
I used to blackmail my sister with: “I’ll tell on you,” and even though I knew nothing, she always fell for it.
I was on a car ride with two grand aunties, and I stopped them from conversing, labelling all their discussions as gossip and threatening to inform the victims of their conversations.
I overheard two relatives questioning why another relative was getting married when he wasn’t in a good financial place. I turned their words into a song, which I sang and danced in front of the innocent man.
Lessons Learned from Childhood fame
Number 1: People who knew you as a child are people to runaway and hide from.
Number 2: Don’t judge other people’s kids when you were ‘trouble no one can runaway from.’
Number 3: When people remind you of your mischiefs, please smile, they can’t all be lying. It’s true. You did it.
Number 4: Don’t be sad if you grow into a boring adult, at least your childhood was FUN, even if you don’t remember anything.
Number 5: They are days when you’ll miss the young you whose mouth was bereft of a filter. Buy a notebook, and write what your tongue can no longer utter.