These two little waifs in the foreground have fascinated me for well over a year, which is when I took this photo. There is something ancient in their expressions (particularly the one in blue), something deep and unfathomable which is in contrast with the view we like to hold of childhood and its innocence and carefree approach to life.

After this picture (which was taken in the evening and is just slightly out of focus), I have been stalking them, trying to capture what it is that I see in their eyes. Now when they see me coming, they giggle and get ready to pose. They think I’m crazy.

It troubled me that though they live just three houses down from Latika Vihar, they never joined. It turned out they were worried about the fees and my assurances that it could all be sorted out didn’t cut much ice.

So I was delighted to see them when I visited LV last night. I think Shipra must have worked her magic to persuade them that they really were welcome whether they could pay or not. They’ve grown a lot in the year and a half since I took the photo above, but that thoughtful, mysterious look which first captured my imagination then endures.

I love being reminded of the depths each child’s soul contains. I think it’s so important to recognize that there are things they ponder and wonder about, things that worry them and things that make them stronger. As adults we need to be there with them on their journey, never making light of their thoughts and fears, never imagining for a moment that just because they are small their hearts and souls do not contain the whole world.