SWEET CRITICS

It was around 7 pm when little Honesty was heading to the kitchen for helping out in dinner preparation. Her mother was in the sitting room watching television. When she saw Honesty she started nagging her. "I cleaned your clothes today but wonderful enough you didn't say a word.

In a situation when someone is mad at you answering or staying quite both can be problematic. So Honesty who was shocked and didn't know what to do chooses to stay quite.

I always felt you are the most selfish kid I never had and today I proved, she continued to nag her. Even when she was done Honesty proceeded to the kitchen without saying a word.

A week passed since that incident. Honesty and her brother were asked to go buy green vegetables to a nearby old lady.

The lady was in her late sixties, medium sized with wrinkled skin and grey hair. Her house surrounding was well swiped and beautifully decorated with fruit trees, vegetable gardens and flowers mostly roses. Regardless of her old age she kept on working on her gardens tirelessly.

After warm greetings they went together to the garden for picking the vegetables. The kids were playing around the fruit trees when the old lady was picking vegetables. The Mangoes looks so ripe and sweet grandma, can we have some? Said Honesty. Culturally any old woman is worth called grandma.

They were allowed to pick mangoes when she was done packing vegetables in the basket. Quickly her brother climbed the tree without wasting a second. Be careful not to fall insisted the old lady who was standing under the shed tree. We can pick some for mommy, daddy and big sister said Honesty with a smile. She nodded while smiling indicating they can go ahead. 

Honesty was so happy to eat those ripe and sweet mangoes one could just see it in her face, she ate while jumping heading to the gate ready to go home.

Suddenly her brother slapped her heavily saying she is a dumb girl. The old lady had to make Honesty calm down before asking why she was slapped. Little kids are good at making noise especially when they feel they have been treated unfairly.

When she was calm the old lady turned to her brother. Why did you slap your sister? Asked the old lady.

You see last week mommy cleaned her clothes but she didn't say anything to appreciate what mommy did and she was about to repeat the same thing today he answered courageously with wrinkles on his forehead.

Grandma, mommy scolded me saying I am the most selfish kid when I stayed quite that is why I picked enough mangoes for them, she said that while looking at her with the eyes that ask if she has done the right thing. The old lady was shocked hearing that, like where does selfishness came from in this situation.

So she was scolded last week, murmured the old lady with the intention to make them talk more about what happen last week.

Yes our mom always discipline us when we go wrong either by words or stick but I wonder why this girl repeated again her silly behavior, while mom was so clear that day insisted her brother.

The old lady hold Honesty's hand and pulled her a bit close. She asked Honesty if she understood why she was scolded by her mother and again slapped by her brother today. Well mommy scolded me because she said I am selfish and I changed seriously grandma. And my brother he is just treating me unfairly because, I did exactly what mommy taught me last week that I shouldn't be selfish, answered little Honesty. 

The old lady again asked the brother if he understands why Honesty repeated the same mistake regardless of being scolded last week. Her brother was convinced that Honesty is dumb and naughty that is why she repeated the same mistake. 

Hearing all this she knew there was a problem needing attention which was to make things clear. Deep down inside she knew the mother and brother were right about disciplining Honesty which was the right thing to do. But the bad thing is when they assumed she understand what they meant while they didn't make it clear enough.

 So in order to make it clear she teased the brother again, but I guess she is picked enough mangoes which clears her selfishness status, argued the old lady. This little girl is supposed to be grateful always he said with an angry voice. You are right grandson being grateful is a must to every human being. But what if you had told her about being grateful since last week then would she have repeated, Old lady kept on saying. 

May be you are right he nodded. And he was now convinced that he was wrong and so as his mother. He admitted his little sister is not dumb because if she managed to understand about being a selfless gem then no doubt being grateful would be easier. He hugged her and said sorry for slapping her heavily.

The whole scenario was awesome and so heart touching especially when her brother said sorry and hugged her. The old lady almost cried seeing them making peace. Time was moving and so she had to allow them to go home to bring the vegetables before it was too late. 

Her hands on their shoulder and all eyes on them she told the brother next time tell Honesty straight whatever you want to teach her, that way you will be helping and she will love you. Honesty promise me you will be a good girl, said the old lady looking her straight in the eyes. With a bright smile on her cute face Honesty promised grandma that she will be a good girl always. 

Lastly I want you both to remember that "being grateful even to a small thing is an act of love"