Junior Vocab
Respecting Paati
Maya: "Arjun, why are you putting that old shawl on the chair?"
Arjun: "Shh, Paati is coming on the video call. This is her special seat."
Maya: "But she’s inside the phone, not in our living room!"
Amma: "We still get ready, kanna. Just like when she visits for real."
Maya: "Then why are you combing my hair so much? It hurts!"
Amma: "Because Paati always says, ‘Comb your hair before prayers.’ She feels happy when we listen."
Maya: "She can’t even smell the agarbatti from there."
Arjun: "She can see everything, though. Look, I even kept her favorite steel tumbler for coffee."
Maya: "You’re acting like she’s the Prime Minister or something."
Arjun: "No, she’s just… important. Like when the teacher walks in and everyone sits straight."
Amma: "Important, and also loved. When someone is respected, we show it in small ways."
Maya: "So putting the shawl, combing hair, keeping her tumbler… that’s respect?"
Arjun: "Yeah, it’s how we say, ‘Paati, you matter to us.’"
Maya: "Then I want Paati to feel respected too."
Amma: "What would you like to do, Maya?"
Maya: "I’ll switch off the cartoon and sit on the floor with folded legs, like her. And I’ll sing the aarti without making funny voices."
Arjun: "Whoa, no funny voices? Paati will feel super respected today."
Maya:Respected kids need sweets." "And after the call, I still get a laddoo, right?
Amma: "Laddoos for my respected little team, for sure."