You INSPIRE me!

At Railway Museum, these summer holidays

I introduced Vasu to football by admitting him to a local low profile football academy. He and Darsh would go to this academy 3-4 times in a week; and thereupon would break glassware, bulbs and tube lights while practicing at home, during the remaining days. Nevertheless, I was happy since my kids were learning a game I always fancied to play well. Things, however, underwent a total change with time. The football academy closed down an year back and Vasu and Darsh now play all kinds of unorganized outdoor games with friends in the neighborhood park. Scenario has only worsened further with  advent of IPL season. Vasu has been head over heels in love with Cricket and wants to become a cricketer when he grows up.  I have discreetly discouraged him to make it a career objective.  

One fine day, I felt this desperate urge to play a good parent. I thought it was my duty to encourage my child at his passion, no matter how unfruitful and useless it was; and so, I had the following dialogue with him.

Me:  "Which cricketer would you like to become when you grow up, Vasu? Mahendra Singh Dhoni or Sachin Tendulkar?" 

Vasu: "दोनों में से कोई नहीं। मैं बड़ा होकर वासू ही बनूँगा " 
(Neither. I will grow up to become VASU only.")

I hadn't expected such a reply from Vasu.  I was all smiles. 

However, nowadays his interest has shifted from Cricket to Badminton it seems. The following is the excerpt of an online chat that took place between Vasu and my online younger brother AJ.

AJ: Which is your favorite game?

Vasu: I like to play Badminton. 

  AJ:  "With whom do you play Badminton?"

  Vasu:   "I play badminton with my brother Darsh, but he needs more practice. "

  

  AJ:   "Hahahaha... and you?"

  Vasu:   "I play well, but I also need more practice. "

 AJ:   "Good! So, you're going to represent India in 2020 in Olympics, dear?"

  Vasu:   "Yes, I will!"

Vasu's calm and confident reply left me all smiles again. Firstly, I am glad he has a healthy self-image and secondly, but most importantly, he is not there to emulate or follow anyone.  Way to go! :-)