A series on my experiences as an immigrant in Canada
It’s the first day of swimming lessons for my husband and me. After the class, the instructor suggests we practice in a different lane. Apart from the two of us, a young Canadian girl and a gentleman from Pakistan join the practice. I am still practicing floating when a girl, snow white in complexion and no more than five years old, walks across the deck to stand near me.
“Is the water warm or cold?” she asks me.
“It’s not too cold,” I say.
She jumps in and squeals in delight, “It’s warm!” then jumps right out.
As we float, holding on to the deck wall for our dear lives, she asks me,
“Are you and him, Mom and Dad?” She points with her eyes to the Pakistani gentleman, floating in a corner away from the three of us.
“Me and who?” I ask her.
She points again to the Pakistani swimmer, saying, “This one.”
“No,” I say and draw her attention to my husband, floating right next to me, “Me and him are together.”
“Ah, so you are parents,” she says knowingly.
“No,” I simply say.
“So you are grownups.”
“Yes.”
“You are going to have a baby?”
“No.”
“You have a baby,” she says, rolling her eyes.
“No, I don’t.”
“I know you do.”
“No…”
“The baby got out. I know it did.”
With that, she walks away, casting one last all-knowing glance my way.
I beseech, “No!”
But to no avail. By now the little lady has already moved on.
READ ALL IMMIGRANT’S POSTCARDS HERE
Photo courtesy: http://vdleek.blogspot.ca/
Bhaswati Ghosh 
Touching.
Thank you so much. It was fun being outwitted by a five-year-old.
Thanks, Cristian and Mazemangriot. 🙂
This is great!
Thanks, Bani!
Fun Story 🙂
I thought so too, Terry. Kids that age are mostly fun. 🙂
dear bhaswati
it was wonderful reading ur immigrants post card.congratulations. i worked omn migration for several years though in a different discipline but i admire ur simple way of recording things which gives a complete picture of an immigrant sometimes happy sometimes sad.sometimes ironical witty and humorous. hope u keep writing.
amit
Dear Amit da,
Thank you for reading and commenting. I am sure it will be very interesting to read about your experiences and insights on migration.
That is outrageously hilarious! My belly here is aching with laughing!!
Umashankar, the refreshing candor of children can really leave us speechless at times. I had fun too. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Thanks for sharing…It made me feel very light on a busy working day.
Thanks for sharing….it made my morning happy and light
Thank you so much, Dr. Banerjee. I guess children have that ability–to lift the weight off our lives. 🙂
wonderfully ended! :DDD
Kaberi di, yes, with me huffing out in frustration! 😛
loved it
Thanks, Ramaa!
Ha ha…loved it 🙂 You have wonderfully brought out the innocence of the little girl and your own frustration. Well done!
I like how brazenly candid children can be, Hari. They get away with what adults never can! 😀
haha…nice one & funny too! It is indeed wonderful reading ur immigrant post card…keep up d gud work.
Thanks a lot, Soma. Glad you liked it. 🙂
That’s a lot like my daughters speaking, most of the times I grope for words and wit when they converse! Enjoyed this a lot 🙂
I am sure you can relate to this, Lopa. Thanks for reading!