Ways
of
Acting

You know, babies come into this world

and they really can't do much for themselves.

They can cry to let people know that they are hungry or uncomfortable,

but they can't do much about it if someone else a lot older doesn't do it for them.

A lot of the time they can't even

burp

without help.

But they learn how to feed themselves from what is put in front of them,

and they learn how to keep their waste products inside them

until they are in the right place to let all that stuff come out.

They begin to learn the difference

between what is inside themselves

and the world and the people that are outside.

And as they grow to be kids,

because they haven't had time to learn much about the world,

they quickly have to learn to do as they are told by those who care for them,

who are much more likely to know what is good and bad for them.

Which is also why kids need to learn to tell the truth,

as those who care may need to know the truth

to make sure they are safe.

And as they grow, they get to know

what is bad and good

for themselves,

and what makes things worse or better,

and that the need to know these things

is why they need to search for knowledge.

And they learn that the best Way of Life

is not to steal and cheat,

but to be trustworthy

and to show loving kindness to their neighbours.

They get to learn their Deen.

And as they learn how to control what they do,

those around them expect them to act in different ways.

They may think it's alright for a baby to scream when they want something,

but little kids soon have to learn that screaming

doesn't always get them what they want.

Older people expect kids to act in a way

that shows they have more control over themselves.

Older people expect kids to learn how to act in a way

that those older people think is good for their community

as well as themselves.

People expect kids to learn

how to act like grown ups.

Punctuality, Forgiveness?

Reconciliation, Co-operation?

Backbiting, Mockery?

Showing Off, Hypocrisy?