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THE Eraser and The Pencil

Pencil: I'm sorry.

Eraser: For what? You didn't do anything wrong.

Pencil: I'm sorry because you get hurt because of me. Whenever I make a mistake, you're always there to erase it. But as you make my numerous mistakes vanish, you invariably lose a part of yourself. You get smaller and smaller each time.

Eraser: That's true. But I don't really mind. You see, I was made to do this. I was made to help you whenever you do something wrong. Even though one day, I know I'll be gone and you'll replace me with a new one, I'm actually happy with my job. So please, stop worrying because I hate seeing you sad.

I found this conversation between the pencil and the eraser very inspirational. Parents are like the eraser whereas their children are the pencil. Parents are always there for their children, cleaning up their mistakes. Sometimes along the way, they get hurt, and become smaller/ older, and eventually pass on.

Although their children will eventually find someone new (a spouse), parents are still happy with everything that they do for their children, and will always hate seeing the most precious people in thier lives worrying, or being sad.

All my life, I've been the pencil and it pains me to see the eraser (my parents) getting smaller and smaller each day. For I know that one day, all that I'll be left with are eraser shavings and memories of what I used to have.

Diya Wadhwani,

By email.

I AM a frequent reader of Sangeetha's YouthTalk column. Her writing ability and insight amaze me, especially for a girl of her age.

Her scope of thinking is beyond the horizon of her generation.

I am sure I will definitely miss Sangeetha's writings and thoughts after her high school graduation when she goes off to pursue higher studies. Keep up the good work and God bless her.

Dr Tarik Ahmed Al Shaibani, By email.