My little friend

I made a new friend this Shabbos. He is younger than me by many years, 13, to be exact. He is all of 6 years old, while I am a staggering 19. (Or will be, in two weeks.) Yes, in his presence, I did feel old. But he made me feel special, needed. Sometimes, friendship really is that simple.

He spoke hebrew, like a typical Israseli, and I spoke English, with a little bit of broken hebrew. But we somehow understood each other. Of course, I let him do most of the talking, as children love to be the center of attention. By nodding, and murmering 'mhm', and 'really?' once in a while, I assured him that I was indeed listening to every word he said.

In the begining, he was a little shy. But once he warmed up to me, and learnt how to say my name proprly, (after giggling and mispronouncing it wrong purposely) we hit it off quite nicely. he was so eager to take me around the moshav, show me where the shul was, the playground, his school. I was happy to oblige, which made him more happy, and me more happy in return. It's a whole cycle.

He stuck his cute little hand into my big one, and we were instantly best friends. For a child, it is so easy to love, to befriend. It is so simple for them. If they like you, they tell you so to your face. In my case, he told me he was going to baracade himself by his front door, and never let me leave, and that I would stay in his house forever. I told him that I think my parents might be a little sad, so he reconsidered.

When they don't like you, or think you are mean, for whatever reason, they tell you that too. It is only when they get older that they become self conscious in relationships, uncomfortable with feelings, and such. And it is only later that they realize it isn't nice to say 'I hate you' to someones face, just as it isn't nice to talk about people behind their backs.

But children, they are all cut from the same mold. It is easy to make them happy, it is easy for them to show love, and it is so easy to love them back.

As we strolled down the street, hand in hand, and stared out at the gorgeous view, I told him about New York. I described how there are only 2 trees there, and lots of people. He stared at me in amazement, and asked if we only have houses there. I said, yup, but also some buildings, a few people, and a handfull of cars. He seemed to sympathise, and feel bad that we didn't have the beauty of Israel, and I agreed with him wholeheartedly.

It was an amazing Shabbos. We visited the farm, said hi to the cows and horses, went on a walk, had a picnic outside. I attempted to read him a book in English, and translate it to hebrew, then I switched to reading a hebrew book, which was equally difficult, having no idea what I was saying, or what expression to use.

But throughout it all, seeing his beautiful smile light up his face, made me so happy. I do wish all relationships can be that simple.

But I think only the innocence, and frienship of a child, can melt your heart.