Jaya’s eyes shone happily when her father opened the package with the red bow right before her eyes. With eager hands, she reached into the white box and lifted out the tiny mechanical dog that stood inside, its little tail wagging as soon as she pushed the button on its belly. Squealing in joy, she ran to the kitchen to show it to her mother, who smiled at her daughter.
Jaya played with it all day long and by evening, she noticed that one ear of the tiny dog looked a bit scuffed. Her six-year-old frame went looking for a person to help her clean the toy. She found her dad sitting on the couch, his eyes glued to the game on the TV. He reached out, absentmindedly patted Jaya and shushed her saying, ‘Later, sweetie. I am watching the game.’
Her steps turned to her mother, who sat with her phone, reading the latest updates on the Web. She smiled at Jaya and said, ‘Sure sweetie. In a minute.’ Jaya stood for a whole five minutes and it never came. That minute.
Trotting away to a quiet corner, Jaya sat and looked at the dog and said, ‘Let’s just play with each other. Everyone seems really busy.’
~~~~
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True story these days ! Hope I never do that with my kid. 🙁
Poor kid! She will probably grow up to be the same.
Oh! Poor lil girl! A sad reality of our times!
Common scenario these days 🙁
Yes, I know 🙁
Poor child!
This is a sad reality these days!! You have touched a nerve.
this is sadly real. My heart goes out to Jaya.
Very true state of affairs 🙁
A touching story about a child being left on her own in this materialistic world. Many parents seem to forget love is caring and not by giving toys.
What’s worse is that they justify it by making sure the kids are up to date with the latest gadgets and say ‘ this is the tech age.’ Yet, they forget that children will remember our hugs and kisses the most, not the gifts that we bought them 🙁
How does the child or grownup (nowadays too) feel who is ‘left behind?’ Alone, unloved, neglected… such a sad state of (common) affairs!
Sadly and scarily true, Elly 🙁 I hope it never comes to that with me and my daughter.
Oh such a lovely story you wove Shailaja. The girl had someone to play with.
Thank you Kalpana 🙂
A good reminder to all parents – take that minute!! Lovely read, Shailaja:-)
Thank you so much, Eli 🙂
Poor Jaya! Blaming technology is not fair. Many parents indulge in chatting with each other and forget to pay attention to their tots. It is a sad state.
That’s true too, Vinitha 🙁
Sad that technology has created so many distances. Poor kid but lucky dog, else who would have placed with it!
That’s one way of looking at it 🙂
A touching story but sadly a reality in many homes. Children are growing up too soon, disillusioned and sad.
Very true.
Pretty much every child’s tale these days.
P.S: I’m at home and wordpress opens here. Be prepared for a plethora of comments now 😀
Thank you and thanks 16 times over 😉
Aww..that’s sad! 🙁 Kids today need someone to play with and parents too want sometime for themselves. it’s hard!
The struggle is so visible 🙁
What a sweet story 😉 . An Apt tale for today’s times could relate to it easily.
Thanks 🙂
This happens to most kids these days. Thanks for reminding us parents to be careful next time something like this comes up.
Thanks Vinodini.
Hmmm..I guess this is not just the case with kids, but with adults too. Technology can come in the way of a lot of relationships.
*Shantala @ ShanayaTales*
And yet, we cannot live without it. The irony.
I think this is something very relatable in this day and age…
Sadly, yes.
Poor Jaya! 🙁
🙁
It’s so important to find time for your children. They grow up so quickly. Sad, but unfortunately too true.
Heartbreakingly so, Luccia 🙁
Oh well! Technology is the saviour of the future 😛
Jokes aside though, it’s not just limited to kids. Even happens with spouses and adults too!
Sigh, don’t get me started on spouses!
That’s every child’s story these days, isn’t it? 🙂
Feeling guilty! 🙁
More true than I care to admit 🙁