Questions  from a Child

Amado L. Picardal

Mother,  why is our house so small?

look at that big, big house!

Mother, why is it so dark in this house?

look, it's so bright in that big, big house!

Mother, why can't we eat regularly?

they always have parties in that big, big house!

Mother, why do I always wear these rags?

the children wear new clothes in that big,big house!

Mother, why are we short and thin?

the people are tall and fat in that big, big house!

Mother, why do we always have to walk?

there are so many cars in that big, big house!

Mother, why do you always cry?

I hear so much laughter in that big, big house!

My child,

why do you always ask these questions?

Our house is small

        because that house is very big.

Our house is dark

        because that big house is very bright.

We cannot eat regularly

        because of the parties in that big house.

We always wear rags

               because they always wear new clothes on that big house.

We are short and thin because

               they are tall and fat in that big house.

We always have to walk

               because there are many cars in that big house.

The laughter in that big, big house

        is maintained by the tears and blood that flow

           in so many squalid huts and slums.