Kind is Love

The Scene: 7:00 o'clock in the evening. A mama and a toddler sit at a dining room table that's cluttered with a stack of folded laundry, unsorted mail, a slightly wilted bouquet of early-fall flowers, and an assortment of items that convey a lively, hectic, family life. The mama is dressed in wrinkled work clothes, obviously at the end of a long day. The toddler, focused on a plate of green peas, whole wheat crackers, and hummus, sings softly to herself as she chews.

Mama: Mmm, Nora, can I have one of your pear slices?

Nora: Mm-HMM!

(Mama takes a slice of pear. Nora watches her do this, then carefully selects a second slice and holds it up.)

Nora: Here, mama!

Mama: Is that for me? Oh, thank you! That was very kind.

(Nora pauses, obviously processing this statement, looking curiously into mama's eyes, who holds her gaze and smiles. After several moments, Nora speaks.)

Nora: Kine?

Mama: Yes, kind! That was so kind.

Nora: Kine? Kind means?

Mama (thinking fast): Well, um, kind means ... kind is when you do something that makes another person feel good.

Nora: Kind is good?

Mama: Yes, it's ... well, sometimes it's a way of showing love.

(Nora is quiet for a minute or so. She looks up at mama and breaks into a wide smile of understanding and, perhaps, joy.)

Nora: Kind is LOVE!