Worked-up Fear?

By Rhiannonw

Tue, 14 Feb 2023
  • 805 reads
9 comments
 

‘I’m afraid to go in that cupboard.’
“Why? Why are you so bothered?

It’s just a box of things to do, on the shelf.”
‘I’m really afraid to go there by myself!’

‘It’s the baby with a cross on her face!
It gives me bad dreams as well.’

“Have you spoken to Mummy or Daddy to tell
them this?  Come show me, it sounds extraordinary …’
‘Look there –’

“Oh, how silly!
That’s just an ordinary little picture
found on any older children’s toy
to tell us it would be dangerous
for young children to play with on their own,
until they’ve grown.
Real worries we can pray about, but
are you really just wanting to taste and enjoy
what it feels like to be frightened?”

(Rough memory of actual conversation with a 5 year-old)

 

Certificate U
Poem
Families
Children's

Comments

Submitted by D G Moody on

Thanks for this Rhiannonw. I though it captured in its conversational tone, the chasm that can seperates a childs world frome that of us adults. Yes, reassure the child, but that face is very real to it.

Dougie Moody

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thanks, Yes it is amazing what goes on in a child's mind that suddenly emerges and you can be so surprised. I did think she knew deep down she was being silly, but apart from being truly puzzled, she was enjoying feeling a fear that she probably knew was not really true! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

how interesting! That something an adult thinks nothing of can effect a sensitive child so much - "I'm afraid to go in that cupboard...It's the baby with a cross on her face" That she sees the basic black and white line image as "she", identifying the cupboard as a place that makes little girls like her cry. and very good you picked up on it, to explain

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you, it does make you realise what complicated little fears can work up in a child's mind and good when it comes out. I think she must have had a sense of it being OK really, and maybe enjoying the 'thrilll' as in reading some books or watching some fairy tales, but suprising how long it took to come out. I don't remember whether it was 'she' or 'its' face she said actually. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Nolan on

Very sensible it is very good that she recognised and heeded the warning. We often underestimate kids it must bring one ease such an intelligent child.

Congratulations on the silver badge! See you Rhannon & Nolan

 

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thanks, though actually I think she just thought it something frightening for some reason, or pretended it was though not really really frightened. Such a lot goes on in their little heads of perplexity and need to ask questions! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Nolan on

I had a really bad accident with a broken windowpane as a toddler. I also put an iron screwdriver into one of those those old wire bar-heaters but they stopped me in time.

See you & Nolan

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

That sounds awful for your parents! It reminds of that hymn that looks back and realises how many  ways God protected us long before we came to know him. My husband remembers climbing up and someone coming in just as he took a packet of razor blades from a cupboard. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Nolan on

Must be a mathematition always snooping around. Curiosity's cat and all that.The electricity has been good now a day or so. I have confidence in the president and our new cabinet.just really  hope we can remain neutral.

I agree with you on that. Looking back the blood freezes how could we possibly have survived all of it?

Hope for the best! & Nolan