The Astronomer

I only said, "When in the evening the round full moon gets entangled among the branches of that Kadam tree, couldn't somebody catch it? "

But dâdâ [elder brother] laughed at me and said,"Baby, you are the silliest child I have ever known. The moon is ever so far from us, how could anybody catch it? "

I said, "Dâdâ how foolish you are! When mother looks out of her window and smiles down at us playing, would you call her far away? "

Still said, "You are a stupid child! But, baby, where could you find a net big enough to catch the moon with? "

I said, "Surely you could catch it with your hands."

But dâdâ laughed and said, "You are the silliest childI have known. If it came nearer, you would see how big the moon is."

I said, "Dâdâ, what nonsense they teach at your school! When mother bends her face down to kiss us does her face look very big? "

But still dâdâ says, "You are a stupid child."