Khalil Gibran was born in Lebanon in 1883. He is known for his writings and poetry. He is also known for his romantic style of writing. Let us take a look at Khalil Gibran’s thoughts about children.And a woman who held a babe against her bosom said, Speak to us of Children. And he said:
Your children are not your children. They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself. They come through you but not from you, and though they are with you yet they belong not to you.
You may give them your love but not your thoughts, for they have their own thoughts. You may house their bodies but not their souls, for their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams. You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you. For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.
You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth. The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite, and He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far. Let your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness; for even as He loves the arrow that flies, so He loves also the bow that is stable.
Interpretation
We have tried to interpret what Khalil Gibran has said about children. Now let us understand the deeper meaning of what he had said about children.
Children Have their Own Identity
Children come through parents but they have their own identity. Parents are so attached to children that they forget that they have their own identity and are unique. No one can change this fact.
Children are Example of Continuity
Children are an example that life will never end. Even in our absence they will continue to exist further extending the life in form of their children. This cycle of life will continue till the eternity.
Parents are Just a Source
Children will belong to parents until they are children. Once they grow-up, they will have the life of their own which will be different from their parents. Parents cannot carry their children for their lifetime. Although, parents give birth to children they are not theirs. They are just a source for bringing them in this world. So, parents must enjoy all the moments of
parenting until children are children as these moments will never come back when they grow-up.
Parents Cannot Control Child’s Thoughts
Parents can shower unconditional love on children but they really cannot control their thoughts. Parents can force children to do certain things, but they really cannot control what is happening in their mind. At a certain point parents may also realise that their children are not thinking the way they are thinking. Their thoughts are different from the thoughts of their children. It is the duty of parents to inculcate right values, manners and
discipline so that they develop right thinking and take right decisions.
Parents Must Guides Children
Parents must provide right
guidance to children in every possible way. They should not behave like dictators with them. They must show them right path by setting good examples. Knowingly or unknowingly children are going to act throughout their life the way they are raised. They will get moulded the way parents mould them.
So, it is completely in hands of parents to sow right kinds of seeds in order to reap the better fruits in form of children raised into well-balanced individuals and
good human beings.
