Story - when I was born
With sleepy eyes, the little one looks up at me, waiting for his nightly story. “Tell me the story of when I was born.” “Alright,” I say. “It was a wonderful day. We were very excited.” I begin slowly, adding details here and there as he listens quietly. After a while he interrupts. “Did you know I would be born?” “No,” I say. “I thought it would be a girl.” I am in a teasing mood now. “I liked the idea of having a little girl. Girls are sweet. They play nice games.” He narrows his eyes immediately. “And boys?” “Boys are good too,” I say gravely. “Except they fight too much, and poor fathers have to suffer all their punches.” He bursts into laughter and thumps me hard on the back. “See? Like that.” Then he pauses for a moment. A familiar mischievous smile appears on his face. “But Baba…” “Hmm?” “If all parents wanted girls and no boys, then who would the girls marry?” For a moment I have no answer at all.