Unkept Promises!

We all have made promises...some were kept while most were unkempt! But when we are unable to keep promises with small kids, the story is different. I wonder why kids seem so affected by "broken promises" of adults. Even I had such an experience.

 

As a kid, I was very fascinated by Barbie dolls. I got this fascination while I was in 3rd std and my friends(rich) began to talk about them in school. Actually I haven't even seen a Barbie doll at that time. Ours were a middle class family, with only one earning member, my father. I had only 2 dolls to play all my life , one rubber doll and one plastic. I told my father that I also need a Barbie doll. Its cost was some 200Rs or 300Rs at that time and my father couldn't afford that much money for just a doll. So he told me about his situation and promised me that if I could get more than 90% in my 10th class, he would buy me a Barbie doll...I was thrilled..by that time, I have seen its advt in TV and was awed by its beauty and mostly its accessories!!! Though there were almost 7 yrs for me to reach my 10th class, I pledged myself that I will get more than 90% marks in 10th ,and  thus "earn" a Barbie doll!!!

 

Next time, when my friends boasted about their dolls, I told them my father will buy me one, as soon as I get 90% in 10th. As they were also kids, they didn't ask me any further questions!!!

 

I kept it in my mind, all through the yrs till I reached 10 th class. I got 94% marks. Then I asked my dad, "you promised that day that u will buy me a Barbie". But he had forgotten about that old promise. Now he was worried about my higher education and college fees...he told me "u have past that age, to play with dolls. Now it will be a waste of money. I have so many other things to worry about". 

 

Ohhhh!!!! I felt a pang in my heart!!! My dream that was nurtured for 7 yrs, crashed before me! I was hoping against hopes that I can "earn" my Barbie, at last and now!!!!! I didn't cry or complain for that matter, cos I was too shocked!!! 

 

Years passed by. When I got my first salary(I was 21,then), I thot I need to buy a Barbie doll, to soothe my heart. I went to the biggest  toy store in town and to the Barbie aisle....but after spending hrs there, I didn't want any doll at all !!!!!! I realized that I had lost that little girls mind, to dress up Barbie, to put make-up on her, to make bed for her etc etc...I felt sad...lost...now I had 5000/- Rs in my hand, to buy a Barbie and O God! I don't want to buy it at all !!!!.....

 

I left that corner and went to the stuffed toy section. I felt so unhappy that I chose a stuffed toy(whose face looked sooo sad!!!) and went home. Later thru the years I bought almost 10-12 big and small soft toys. Ppl who know me, gift me soft, cuddly bears or lions or dogs, including my husband, who bought me a big lion!!....but still I don't even like to see Barbie dolls anymore....I think I hate them!!!! Now if I want, I can have a whole Barbie collection, but the saddest thing is I don't want Barbie any more!!!

 

Now I am very careful, not to promise a kid, her dream....cos I think "broken promises" can leave a very deep wound than "broken dreams".

hit counter