To you, it might seem trivial. To me, it matter lots.

We were planning to go to a friend's place for dinner for the evening. Since my friend has no children (ie. no toys), we foresee that there might be a long period of boredom for EggEgg.  So as we were on our way out, I told EggEgg to go to his room and choose some of his favorite toys to take along for the evening.

Tonton and I were doing the usual last minute frantic pack-up to get ready. "Have you packed the snack box? Water bottle? Dummy? Baby carrier? Baby bouncer? What about extra jumpers?..."  

As we are about to leave, EggEgg emerged from his room with a tray full of pebbles.  It is apparent that EggEgg has taken his time to pick up the nicest ones.  He walked out very very slowly, carefully balancing his pebbles on his tray, indicating to us that he would like to take them along.

In the heat of the moment, Tonton was annoyed that EggEgg would choose this of all toys.  "Pebbles? No, we're not taking that!" and tried to usher EggEgg out of the house.  EggEgg was dismayed at this sudden rejection, lost his balance and threw his entire tray of precious pebbles on the floor.  He started to cry, and his hands sweeping pebbles all over the floor as if to hide his source of shame.  

"Why can't I take them? Why? You told me to choose a toy, and now you won't let me take these? What did I do wrong?", I could read his mind.

Yes, I remember the days from my own childhood: how often have my serious childhood efforts been deemed insignificant by adults! My earnest efforts in painting, writing stories, inventing things... my mum used to instantly label them as "ugly" or "useless" without a second look.

Seeing the parallel between my past and this present moment, I comforted EggEgg and let him pack his pebbles along.  And I was right too, EggEgg had a fun time playing and sharing his pebbles with others at the dinner that night.

On ne voit bien qu'avec le cœur. L'essentiel est invisible pour les yeux. 

(It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.)

-The Little Prince