Children will see and learn

April 30, 2020 by spixl

Today in Mexico is Día del Niño (Day of the Child). However, this year, in the time of Covid-19, there will be no school parties, no large community gatherings, and, with no income for many, there will be fewer (if any) toys and treats given by parents. We all look forward to the days when we hear the sound of squeals and cheers coming from playgrounds, see children gathered with their friends laughing and talking, and again being a part of the traditional dances, parades, and celebrations. On this day as I was compiling this photo essay, I couldn’t get this song out of my head…

Children Will Listen
(sung by Bernadette Peters)
lyrics and music by Stephen Sondheim

How do you say to your child in the night?
Nothing’s all black, but then nothing’s all white
How do you say it will all be all right
When you know that it might not be true?
What do you do?

Careful the things you say
Children will listen
Careful the things you do
Children will see and learn
Children may not obey, but children will listen
Children will look to you for which way to turn
To learn what to be
Careful before you say “Listen to me”
Children will listen

Careful the wish you make
Wishes are children
Careful the path they take
Wishes come true, not free

Careful the spell you cast
Not just on children
Sometimes the spell may last
Past what you can see
And turn against you
Careful the tale you tell
That is the spell
Children will listen

How can you say to a child who’s in flight
“Don’t slip away and I won’t hold so tight”
What can you say that no matter how slight Won’t be misunderstood
What do you leave to your child when you’re dead?
Only whatever you put in its head
Things that your mother and father had said
Which were left to them too

Careful what you say
Children will listen
Careful you do it too
Children will see
And learn, oh guide them that step away
Children will glisten
Tamper with what is true
And children will turn
If just to be free

Careful before you say
“Listen to me”
Children will listen
Children will listen
Children will listen

Posted in Celebrations, Children, Culture, Holidays, Travel & Tourism | Tagged children, Children Will Listen (song), Children's Day, coronavirus fallout, costumes, COVID-19 fallout, Day of the Child, Día del Nino, festivals, Mexico, Oaxaca, photos, popular travel destinations, traje | 14 Comments

14 Responses

on April 30, 2020 at 11:41 am | Reply livingtextilesofmexico

Thanks, Shannon for sharing your beautiful pictures of Oaxaca’s children….
Mucho alegria…!!!
- on May 4, 2020 at 7:37 pm | Reply spixl
  
  Muchisimas gracias Sheri. The children never cease to amaze me!
on April 30, 2020 at 11:45 am | Reply Alana

Uplifting, beautiful and heart warming. Thanks so much
- on May 4, 2020 at 7:38 pm | Reply spixl
  
  Many thanks, Alana. Take good care!
on April 30, 2020 at 1:37 pm | Reply Barbra Bishop

A beautiful, very thoughtful presentation! Thank you.
- on May 4, 2020 at 7:38 pm | Reply spixl
  
  Thank you, Barbra.
on April 30, 2020 at 2:55 pm | Reply Kay Michaels

Thanks so much Shannon. You always make me smile and keep me current with what’s going on – even though I live right here with you!! 🙂 Beautiful. Love that song.
- on May 4, 2020 at 7:40 pm | Reply spixl
  
  Thanks Kay! I know, after watching the 90th birthday tribute to Stephen Sondheim, that song was the one that stayed with me.
on April 30, 2020 at 4:00 pm | Reply Marilyn Albright

Great post!
- on May 4, 2020 at 7:41 pm | Reply spixl
  
  Thanks, Marilyn! Hope all is well with you and David up Alaska way. Miss you…
on May 1, 2020 at 11:41 am | Reply Christine Wallis

Ah, this is a beautiful one! Thank you so much. And so close to his 90th birthday – very timely!

Thank you for reminding me of Oaxaca and all the beauty there. I hope to be able to come back.

Best wishes, and stay safe.

Christine
- on May 4, 2020 at 7:42 pm | Reply spixl
  
  Thank you, Christine. Oaxaca will be here when safer times return. Be well!
on May 5, 2020 at 9:20 pm | Reply Jane Weed-Pomerantz

Poignant. Lovely. Celebrate the future and realize it is now!! Thank you for sharing this with me! Stay well be safe
- on May 6, 2020 at 9:08 am | Reply spixl
  
  Thank you; the children are our future! Wishing you good health.