Halloween 2004: Sidd's first, just 1 year and 2 months old; Paul's second. I had the idea of dressing Sidd as an athlete at the Beijing Olympics. Molly got an outfit from Chinatown in Boston and I made a sash akin to that worn at the opening ceremonies.
We were greeted at the first house by a lady in her 60s. She melted into teary eyed smiles, overwhelmed by the deafening cuteness of the two baby boys. After tossing a couple of candies into Paul's outstretched bag, she paused for Sidd, but he simply looked up at her and smiled.
I nudged him so that his tiny arms held out his tiny bag. The lady tossed in a couple of candies. Puzzled, Sidd peered down into the bag, back at her, and back to the bag. Then those furrowed eyebrows cleared up, and with a big smile he reached down, grabbed the candy and tossed it back on to her tray. A tiny, mischievous laugh erupted. His face beamed, "hey, I can play this game, lady!"
She looked at me, thunderstruck. "Never in 36 years, NEVER, has a child given back candy to me. Most don't even say thank you. You have one amazingly generous little one!" Sidd was still squealing with laughter, and just staring at her.
I tried to clarify that he had no clue how Halloween “works,” & that this may change in the coming years (believe me, it has). But to no avail: she would not buy any of it.
We only went to a few more homes as the Boston night air was a bit cold yet the same ritual played itself out. Sidd was having so much fun he would try to trot ahead when we arrived at a new house. A little boy's mis-interpretation translated into big-hearted generosity that left him short of candy, but having a ball and handing out an unexpected Treat on Halloween.
Sidd, the Olympic Hopeful...; Paul, Your Friendly Neighborhood Honey Bear, © 2004, Abe Pachikara (Click for larger images)
