09-29-2004, 07:58 PM
Miss Moppy is a wise little five year old, who meets life head on!
Moppy stretched her arms up high. She wanted to see if she could reach the top of the bookshelf. With her eyes closed and standing on her tippy toes, she said, "Bismillah!" in a little voice. She stretched and reached until - she did it! One of her chubby, little fingers touched the coloring book on the top shelf. With a look of happiness she bounded out the door and headed towards the kitchen. She felt at least three inches taller that day.
"Come on and drink your juice," said Mum in a kindly voice.
Moppy sat down on the kitchen stool with its green colored seat and watched the orange pulp float around. She wrinkled her nose and then closed her eyes, took a deep breath and downed the whole cup.
"Hey Missy, you're supposed to drink in three goes! Remember!"
"Oh yeah, next time Inshaa Allah."
She put the cup on the sink, then sat down on the stool to watch her mother.
"Mum, when will I grow up?"
"You're growing up all the time."
"Really?"
"Yes."
"What do I have to do to grow up, Mum?"
Her mother stopped stirring the porridge for a minute and said, "You have to eat your dinner and go to sleep early and bit by bit, Inshaa Allah, you'll grow."
"Do I have to eat the green stuff?"
"Vegetables are really good for you and they don't taste so bad."
"I don't like them."
"You don't have to like them, you just have to eat them. Right!"
Moppy watched every move her mother made. Her eyes followed her from the stove to the fridge to the sink and back to the stove again. Unconsciously, her little hands copied all her movements.
"I want to be big now. I want to be like you."
"You are big, much bigger than when you were little and you don't have to be like me, you just have to be your nice little self," said her mother as she poured the porridge into little yellow bowls.
"What do you do when you're big?" she asked as she swung her feet to and fro.
"We have to try to be good all the time and help each other. And.." mother paused for a moment, "we have to learn how not to hurt others' feelings."
Moppy looked up at her seriously. "Like what?"
"Like, saying things that people like but saying the truth at the same time."
Some porridge dripped onto the table and Moppy wiped it up with her finger.
"I'm hungry Mum. Can we eat now?"
"Breakfast is nearly ready Sweetie."
"I try to be good and I help, don't I?" asked Moppy as she carried the spoons to the table.
"Yes, you do! You're my number one helping girl."
"So I'm big, aren't I?"
"I guess you are," replied her mother as she stopped her work and looked lovingly down at her curly haired little girl.
"You know what?"
"What?"
"You're five years old today, Mashaa Allah."
"Am I?" asked Moppy with wide-open eyes that shone with happiness. She held up five fingers and smiled broadly.
"Some of the kids at school make parties when they have a birthday."
"I know."
"Are you going to make a party for me?"
Mother looked at Moppy again and smiled. "Allah gave you life, five years ago. If He didn't make you, you, my dear would not be here! What more can we want than to be alive and have each other? Isn't it better to do something good for someone else, instead of wanting more for yourself. You already have everything you need Mashaa Allah."
"Ok then, what are we going to do today?"
"We're going to visit Auntie Asma and the kids."
"Oh goodie. Does Auntie know I'm five today?"
"No, but we can tell her Inshaa Allah."
Moppy was so happy, she got up and danced and twirled up the hallway to her bedroom, where she put on her favorite dress and combed her hair. She looked neat, clean and ready to go out.
"See! I got ready by myself Mum. I'm big now, right?"
"Mashaa Allah, you did a good job! Let's have breakfast first and then we'll be off, Inshaa Allah."
Moppy went to the bathroom and washed her hands, then they ate breakfast together. After they cleared the table, mother got ready too. She put on her coat and her long scarf and off they went. After a short time they arrived at the house of their favorite Auntie.
Moppy bounded up the stairs and knocked on the door. "Who is it?" asked a friendly voice.
"Assalam Alaikum. Mum and I have come to visit you."
The door opened. "Wa Alaikum Assalam," and Moppy was swept up in the arms of Auntie Asma who twirled her around the room then set her down on the floor. "How's my girl today?"
"I'm five," she replied smiling.
"Mashaa Allah, you're really getting big now."
"I know."
"So what are you going to do today?" asked Auntie.
"I'm visiting you," replied Moppy with a big grin.
"If I'd known you were coming I would have got all dressed up."
Auntie Asma was laughing. She disappeared into her room and fuzzed out her hair, then stuck a colorful comb right on the top.
"Close your eyes Moppy."
"Open!"
Moppy started a little when she looked at Auntie's hair and the broad cheesy grin that was displayed under it.
"Well, how do you like my hair? Come on tell me the truth."
Her mother's words still rung in her ears. 'Tell the truth but don't hurt others.'
Moppy stared seriously at her Auntie then looked her up and down.
"Well, come on, you like it huh?"
What could she say, Auntie looked really yucky like that!
"Well, Auntie," she began, taking a deep breath and closing her eyes for a moment,
"I think you have a lovely dress."