“Mama, I have a question for you”, she said- with earnestness on her face that could not be ignored.  This was my niece Amisha, now 9 (9 and a half, she would remind me !) who was visiting us for her Christmas vacations. I have always loved interacting with her because of her sense of imagination and a new perspective which her conversation always evokes. It also reminds me how much the world has changed between the time I was her age and now, and of course, also makes me realize how old I have become…(Sigh!)

“Sure, go ahead” I replied with the same eagerness.

“Mumma tells me everything has a purpose. Like going to school has a purpose, similarly exercise and even eating food…you know” She started with a preface- her usual style of conversation. “Yes” I agreed summarily. “So, what is the purpose of my life?” I was stumped by the question and the manner in which she came up with it. Clearly I was not expecting something like this, and it showed up on my face. She thought I had not understood the question properly so she explained further. “See Mama, if everything has a purpose as Mumma said and you also agreed to that, then my life should also have a purpose…no? I mean, I must be supposed to do something…right? So can you tell me what is it?”

In order to buy some time, I diverted things a bit. “Why did you not ask your mumma?” I said. “ I was afraid that she will scold me. And also, she keeps on saying you are the most intelligent in the family”  She replied matter-of-factly. Gosh…even kids have started resorting to flattery….what will happen of this world…I thought to myself!

I knew I had to reply- she would not let matters pass. So I said, “ Beta, the purpose of life is to experience joy”. “You mean to be happy” she retorted. “Not exactly Beta-Joy stays with you longer and is a deeper feeling. Ummm….How do I explain?”

“I think I get it. Like yesterday, you treated me to a pastry, and I felt happy while eating it. But last time I was here you gave me “Tell me Why”, which I read again and again when I have queries, and I feel happy everytime that you gifted me the book.” She smiled and added. Hmmm…she had grown smarter that I thought….as is the case with children !

“Yes Beta, you are partly right. But joy means more than just happiness. When you are joyous, you are not only happy, you are also satisfied and feeling peaceful.” As I said this, I was wondering where this conversation was heading to.

“I am sorry Mama- I did not fully understand”. She said. “ On my birthday, you had made a lovely card for me, which made me feel very happy. When I told you that, how did you feel?” “ I felt good that you liked my effort and that I could make you happy” “Right, that is an example of satisfaction” I said with some satisfaction in my voice that I could explain things to her.

“And what about peace?” She asked. I thought for a moment. You pray every morning – right ? “Yes Mama- daily after bath” “Why?” “You mean …prayers make me peaceful”…she said, jumping the gun. “Yes, because they relieve one of tension, you feel cared for, and you also have a sense of hope around you.” Hmmmm….she said with a sigh of someone trying to digest these thoughts. I was honestly not sure how much of it she was able to grasp. “So what do I need to do be joyous?” “Be happy, make others happy and pray” I sort of summarized. “That’s it?” She asked. “Yes” I said. “Then life is very simple no…? “Yes, it is meant to be simple” I said, with a smile....to myself I added, but we complicate it by forgetting this!