Dedicated to Daddy, Pinch, Shailu, Thakur, Mandar, Sudeep, Shiv, Ashwin and many others who inspired me to write this post…
Stated below are the Little Boys Codes.
1. It does not matter if you live in my apartment complex or someplace else; you can play with me.
2. You may be older/younger in years to me but you are my 'dost.' (There is something oddly endearing about a little boy having a dost (or many). I guess this reflects on my Bombay upbringing that I tend to associate 'dost' more with Hindi films than with real life usage! Btw, 'dost' is Hindi for 'friend.')
3. We really don't need to talk much. Playing together is less complicated and a lot more fun.
4. It doesn't matter where your Dad works or what school you go to; we can play together anyway.
5. It is never too late or too early to go out and play.
6. A skinned knee/elbow hurts like hell, for the first five minutes. Just get back to the game, and it'll not hurt as much.
7. If you ask nicely, even the grumpiest neighbor will offer you a glass of water at the end of a long and sweaty day of play.
8. There is a place for everyone on the team.
Sad to say, a lot of little boys outgrow these codes. Thankfully, I know many who follow these faithfully… and the world is a lot nicer for that.
