Mikhail in my Cartoons - Saturday Cartoons Part 2!

On Children

(by Kahlil Gibran)

Your children are not your children.

They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.

They come through you but not from you,

And though they are with you, yet they belong not to you.

You may give them your love but not your thoughts.

For they have their own thoughts.

You may house their bodies but not their souls,

For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,

which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.

You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you.

For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.

You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.

The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite,

and He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far.

Let your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness;

For even as He loves the arrow that flies,

so He loves also the bow that is stable.

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I don't often quote anyone's poetry in this almanac. But since the sketch was drawn expressly with this poem by Kahlil Gibran in mind, it would not be fair not to do so. And I do try to be fair, though a sinner I am. Honest.

Below are some other cartoons done with my son, Mikhail in it. He has added an extra spice of uncertainty and exuberant brilliance in my life. I cannot thank God enough. And I cannot thank my son enough. One late night recently, as he was about to fall asleep, I said, "Thank you, Mika." Under the blanket and pillow he sleepily replied, "What for, Papa?" To which I answered, "For being born."

All these cartoons have been previously posted, but I hope it shall not impede your enjoyment.

Be close to your children. Who else can they come to,
if they cannot come to you in times of trouble?

The direction of prayers (kiblat) is towards the holy Kaaba in Mecca.
But in their formative years, you are the kiblat of your children.

Your children need you. But don't cramp their style.
They need room to breath and grow as how God intended.

And lastly, expect to be the object of humour and laughter for your children.
Children's laughter is the music of heaven. So what if you look foolish for a while?

Thank you for dropping in, sunshine. God bless all children, wonderful vessels of love and energy that they are.

wa min Allah at-taufiq

Hate has no place in Islam

Love will show the Way