i only said, "when in the evening the round full moon gets entangled among the branches of that kadam tree, couldn't somebody catch it?"

but dâdâ [elder brother] laughed at me and said, "baby, you are the silliest child i have ever known. the moon is ever so far from us, how could anybody catch it?"

i said, "dâdâ how foolish you are! when mother looks out of her window and smiles down at us playing, would you call her far away?"

still said, "you are a stupid child! but, baby, where could you find a net big enough to catch the moon with?"

i said, "surely you could catch it with your hands."

but dâdâ laughed and said, "you are the silliest child i have known. if it came nearer, you would see how big the moon is."

i said, "dâdâ, what nonsense they teach at your school! when mother bends her face down to kiss us does her face look very big?"

but still dâdâ says, "you are a stupid child."