paper thin lies

The silence of contemplation hovered in the air. A group of students laid down on the gravel ground of the courtyard , swallowing in the night sky earnestly. A twinkle there in the north and another in the east, curt short acknowledgements from the stars. A moment later the mentor said rather wryly, 'Okay guys, enough of thinking how big the universe is and how small you are, time for group sharing.'

And the smallest guy in the group replied, 'Actually I was thinking how big I was and how small the universe is.'

Laughter all around. And that called for another round of silent musing.

.

For the past 3 days, I felt I've been mentored by the kids as well. Everything that comes from them seems more real and every chance to laugh I took. Self- consciousness has yet to infect them, and they weren't afraid to show their real emotions. So when they cried, those tears were real.

A big part of me wants to pull them aside and tell them desperately, 'Look, never lose this. Appreciate what you have here right here, right now cause it'll never be the same again. People are going to be mean to you for no reason but because they are so insecure it hurts them and they have to hurt others in return, worse, they might even be your friend. Life would be throwing too many things at you and you won't be able to duck quickly enough. Right here is where it is still safe. Take here and put it somewhere deep in you and don't let anyone touch it.'

But what do I really know right?