Questions for Daddy

A father, a son, and a pot of tea

"Daddy, Daddy!"

"Yes, son."

"What should I do?"

"What do you mean, son?"

"With my life, Daddy."

"Well, you are still very young. You have lots of time to decide."

"No, Daddy. I mean, which path should I focus on? Mind, body, or soul?"

"That's a really big question, son."

"The mind. The ego. What people think of me. Being popular. Fitting in, Daddy.

The body. Eating lots of ice cream. Getting kisses."

He giggles.

"Like you and Mommy.

Or the soul. What is the soul, Daddy?"

"Son, these questions are out of my league.

But the mind is more than just selfish ego."

The father stares at his son.

"Are you trying to get yourself out of school?"

The son smiles mischievously.

"And the body is more than kisses and ice cream, though I love those.

How about sports? Fitness?

Son, are you telling me you don't want to eat collard greens anymore?"

The son smiles mischievously again.

"Now the soul…

That's about all that might be left of us.

Good deeds. Prayers.

Those are worthy, son.

Are you trying to get out of prayer?"

The son smiles mischievously.

"Did that answer your question, son?"

"Yes, Daddy.

But I have a lot more."

"Wait, son.

Let me brew a pot of tea.

Let's go out into the garden.

I'll do my best.

Perhaps the best answer is a question, son.

Whatever you do,

keep asking them."

A story by Pemba Umoja