Of And On Wants

A translation from the lost diary of Aloysius Scherpule:

06/10/1765

OF AND ON WANTS

 

      What should pærents want from a child?

 

      Today’s pærents want their children to be good, successful, well educated, well groomed, well spoken, wise; all in all, they wish their children to well to do, at the least. Just as they did in Carcosa.

      Now what about those pærents whose children are born with disabilities?
      These pærents just wish their children to be good, accepted by society, lead a natural life. Just as they did in lost Carcosa.

      Continuing on the subject of pitiful plights, what about those pærents whose children are born with illnesses, and to make the circumstance worse, with terminal illnesses?

      These pærents just want their children to live. Just as they did in dim Carcosa.

 

      An amusing factuality is that children are perpetually rampaged about a very empty and worthless phrase:

                     “Value your parents!; there are so many little ones who do not have pærents of their own. Ask them how they feel about being without someone to be cared by.”

 

       Time is nigh when the child is prevented from being bullied by the very people they are to be loved by and those very people to be reminded of the harsh truth existing in this multitudinous world:

             “Value your children; there are many newlyweds and oldenweds who just cannot have children of their own. Ask them, just try, once how they feel being without someone to care after. Or ask a pærent whose child dies just moments after birth, or at birth, or are born dead. That is a horror none can ever really escape.”

 

 

       Children should be exempted from the dismays of this concomitant world. I agree, some ought to be taught a lesson in the aforementioned method but I have witnessed too many pærents use this tool of manipulation to teach a lesson to their very own children, whether needed or not that is of no consequence to the authority and it seems to me an opportune moment to state: All children do not deserve such treatment. Children do not understand death and to layer that with such chaos is not only regressive to a child’s experience but outright cruel in my platonic opinion.

 

       I, as a pærent of olden age, had been amply subjected to the use of such manipulation to discipline my own: an older daughter, Elysium and a younger boy, Elysius. Now, they are good humans in their own right and I am grateful to them for that that despite my involuntary efforts to destroy every ounce of innocence begotten them, it is they who are good in the truest sense and not me. They have their pointless flaws but who doesn’t. And I too have sinned. Only years later do I realise what grotesque crime I had committed all those years, when Elysium lost her young one at the tender age of three fulfilling days, just only yesterday . . . I realise the utter bitterness of the situation my children never have had to thankfully come across. I know to only thank the wise guidance of my ever-so loving partner who always has a complimentary perception to my authoritative methods. The methods did all but teach the value of consequence of unthought actions.

 

       Whenever I grabbed at that dreadful tool my children must be saddened . . . saddened by the truth that though I reminded them of the fact so obstinately, I never helped any of the children I kept pointing them to, or even had the slightest scrape of intent to do something about their sympæthetic state. And with each written alphabet, my ink seems heavier than ever; perhaps only laden with well deserved guilt.

 

       A child’s mind is yet to experience, it is imperfect, full of curiosity and curiosity can only express itself in the language of questions, which I believe is instrumental in their evolution into an adult mind. An adult mind which is quite experienced, delusional with authority and perfection, avoidant of questions, on the pretext of stress and daily life, does not feel the need to add anymore worry and hence resort to short-term remedies, again unconcerned over the consequence. “…whatever seems less worrisome at present moment…” is the newly conceived argument conjured by our kind of pærents. Simply put, you may always come across a child getting over the absence of a pærent but never a pærent who gets over the absence of their child. The ensuing calamity one must face. Just as they did in lost Carcosa.

      

       Sadly, even the remembrance of my youthful days on the violently calm shores of Carcosa cannot bring forth any comfort when I was just another young man staring pointlessly into the horizons of oblivion. I am but a deserved victim in the misguided quest for a perfect life. We spend too much time perfecting ourselves that we forget the imperfections that must first be addressed. Naturally, I wonder where the destiny of the phrase: “Every child is special.” is. We, perfectionist adults certainly do not seem to be the answer:

 

“Who knows and who can,

Who cares and who will?

Only the one in R’lyeh.”

-          Anonymous

 

 

      Fate can only be cruel for it is but beautiful. Think, what should pærents want from a child?

Reviews

[Confuser]

Brilliant, thought provoking, an emotional ride with mystery, psychological/philosophy jam packed into one writing. It is amazing. This character Aloysis Scherpule, by the way, using his diary is a fantastic idea. The questions he asks, are relatable to evryone, parent, child; every human being in this world - Value Your Parents (VYP); the circle of questions, regrets he brings forth, his denial; but also acknowledgement of wrong doing is so interesting; the use of manipulation to raise children (which he did) - learned from his parents; in the beginning you write: Today’s pærents want their children to be good, successful, well educated, well groomed, well spoken, wise; all in all, they wish their children to well to do, at the least. At the least says so much: sometimes its what he doesn't say: not follow your dreams: Live by society's rules: He continually contradicts himself; rationalizings his wrong doings (the inner argument); children should ask questions, but he didn't allow his children to do so; as many parents do today: Despite my involuntary....his regrets again. V.Y.P. - he realizes he did the same as his parents. The obscurity he may have been feeling; Every child is special. It is a remarkable piece of work: I love it; 3rd read and I find more and more questions comes to mind. Fate can only be cruel for it is but beautiful. Think, (THINK) what should parents want from a child. I've never read anything like it. Cannot wait for more! I could quote so much!!! Phenomenal. Thank you so much. Dale

[Stonz P.]

You are kind, I have said this much too often but I do not know what else to say.

I was sceptical as you know I am not even in the latter half of my early twenties and to write on such a topic can be nothing but pure fiction indeed. I was relieved when you, a parent, approved of the piece.. and your words did indeed encourage me. A new chapter is in the works and will let you know once it is complete.
Thank you so much, Ma'am :)

[Confuser]

I am so, so very happy and look forward to reading it!

[Marie]

THis is very interesting reading, but I hardly know how to comment on it.

[Stonz P.]

This is the second chapter in a series.. I'm still developing the character and his opinions. It's based in late 1700s and reflects on things plaguing our current generation as I see things. Something like that.
This particular chapter, I am quite unsure of as it speaks of things well beyond my age and fathomable experience..

[Stonz P.]

And thank you for reading :)

[Marie]

It's kind of beyond my experience too; that's why I didn't know how to comment.

[Matching Socks]

I can't tell you how glad I am that I decided to read this. So thought provoking and you make some very strong points. Well,done.

[Stonz P.]

And I am glad you read it and appreciate it :)
I was sceptical for this chapter as it is well beyond my age.. but the response has been favourable so far.. Thank you so much for reading.

[Matching Socks]

It was my pleasure. :)

[Coyote Poetry]

I like the ancient Native American saying. "Be careful what you say, you do and teach. The elders are the teachers of the children. Teach them well for they are the future."
"A child’s mind is yet to experience, it is imperfect, full of curiosity and curiosity can only express itself in the language of questions, which I believe is instrumental in their evolution into an adult mind. An adult mind which is quite experienced, delusional with authority and perfection, avoidant of questions, on the pretext of stress and daily life, does not feel the need to add anymore worry and hence resort to short-term remedies, again unconcerned over the consequence. “
Children listen and watch. Can become us or aspire to be better. The Native Americans believe. "Allow the children to grow like a free trees. Grow tall and touch the clouds. Allow the children to dream, run and test life." Thank you for sharing the excellent chapter. You open the door to questions with many answers.
Coyote

[Stonz P.]

I am glad you agree with the views. I only hope to follow them when I grow up and not be a mere preacher of ideals.
Thank you for sharing the sayings and this wonderful review.

[Coyote Poetry]

Good words are never useless. Wise people listen to good wisdom my friend.

[Mayank]

As far as I remember this is a second piece of your lost diary, this engages reader with a many questions. This is difficult to say what would want from parent want from a child? some want them their children to chase their incomplete dream, some are independent to do what they want if they are in respectable position. The question keep arising as we go through this, from the child's mind to the perfectionist adult, blinded to see the natural qualities of their child. The interest of the child shaded by the Wants from the adults. It's an amazing piece.

[Stonz P.]

Thank you so much for your insight, Mayank :)
The only thing I feel is that one must not harm a child's mind for any purpose, selfish or selfless; the ordeal is despicable in any form, much more in the case of the latter.

I will add another chapter soon; will send you the RR! You have encouraged me with your response towards the chapters. Thank you.