PENSAMENTOS DE CRIANÇA

Photos: Alba Rodríguez Núñez

On a morning of blue skies and an illuminated mountain, I was reflecting on the profundity of the thoughts that blossom from little children. In this world of enchantment and beauty, everything thinks, observes and imagines.

Kauê Karai Tataendy Mindua, my 10-year-old son, has been a thinker since the first steps of his life, a great teacher of the subtleties of the things that surround us. He looks after chickens and dogs and has a rooster called Pirata, who he has been taking care of since he was born and who is blind in one eye. With great affection, Kauê cured him and today the rooster Pirata commands the yard with his loud crowings as soon as dawn breaks.

On this journey together with my little teacher, I learn a lot of knowledge from him. One thought he brought up to me a few days ago was about the relationship between large humans and forest beings. He asked me why people grow up and stop being "delicating" with other animals and plants. He thinks that many large humans have lost the sensitivity to listen and talk to other beings and even to spirits.

Photo: Alba Rodríguez Núñez

Immersed in his deep concerns since he was a child, while walking in the woods he tells us about other times and remembers the situations and moments of his life that his memory can still reach.

It's interesting to realise the lucid transparency of the dimension of children's thoughts, which weave imaginary narratives and are enchanted by the smallest things.

My two sons have always accompanied me on life's journeys, in my struggles, work and articulations. One day I was invited to comment on a film about prayers, shamans from various parts of the world, who keep on with their chants and prayers, holding up the heavens and balancing life on the planet. When Kauê got home, thoughtful as he always is, he commented on what he had seen and heard that night, and the next day he asked me to watch the film again. It was a powerful moment for both of us, as we were enchanted and at the same time deeply touched by those realities that were so distant, yet so similar to our own.

After some time, I saw him with his coloured pens, very focused, drawing everything he was thinking about our conversations and that very profound reality.

Drawings: Kauê

Pray so it rains, pray so it continues to snow, pray so the rivers and seas continue to have clean water and fish to eat, pray to keep the forest alive in the face of so much violence, such as mining companies, oil companies and overwhelming agribusiness.

This is how we continue to dialogue and feel the strength that emanates, in the four corners of the world, from these praying men and women who continue, in their own unique way, to resist in order to take care of our wounded Earth.

May we continue to pray and learn from the delicacy of children.

🐜🐜🐜🐜🐜🐜🐜🌱🌿💚

Photo: Alba Rodríguez Núñez