A game was underway.
The players woke up early, followed schedules, met deadlines, and carried responsibilities. It was a demanding game, but they were old enough to play it.
Then a child was pushed onto the field.
He did not ask to join. But the game had already begun, and everyone expected him to play.
So he ran. He struggled to keep up with players who were bigger, stronger, and more experienced. When he fell behind, he was told to try harder. When he grew tired, he was told to keep going, and the rhymes of childhood grew fainter with every step.
One day, a whistle echoed across the field. Everything stopped.
A referee walked to the center and looked around. He saw adult players on a field meant for them. Then he saw the child.
The referee reached into his pocket and raised a red card. But this was never a game for children. As the child stepped off the field and the whistle blew once more, the game continued with the adult players it was meant for.
Of course, work is not really a game.
The comparison only helps us see something important. When children are brought into the world of labor too soon, something is out of place. Work belongs to adults. Childhood belongs to children.
There will be time for responsibilities later. For now, children should be free to learn and grow.
Let’s work while the children play.
⌨ ᴛʸᵖⁱⁿᵍ ᴏᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ʙˡᵘᵉ ᵈᵃʳᵉᵐ ᵐᵘˢⁱᶜ ᵇˡᵒᵍ