Sep 06 2008
I don’t want you die
Aiyoh, my 4 yo son, after learning Negaraku, wanted me to explain the meaning of the lyrics. Well, he has been like this, for EVERY single songs that he learns he wants to know the meaning. Be it, English, Chinese, or even Malay songs.
So, there goes, I started my explainations…
“Negaraku” means “my country”
“tanah” means “land”
“tumpahnya darah ku” means “spilled my blood”
Suz: Okay, so in total, the first sentence means - my country, the land that I spilled my blood. What it means is not literally that I cut myself that my blood is spilled on the floor.
Ian: Then?
Suz: What it actually mean is that, Malaysia is my country that I would sacrifice myself for, to show how much I love it.
Maybe it was too ‘chim’ (difficult). I have the tendency of explaining things to him like I would to another adult. I always treat him like adult, telling him things that are very rationale. :p
So, he asked, “What is ’sacrifice’?”
I find it hard to explain sacrifice to a kid, so I have used this example below…
“Okay, sacrifice means that one would give up everything including the life, for the benefit of another. For example, let’s say if somebody catched you and wants to kill you. Because I love you so much, I would want to sacrifice for you. So I would go to the person and tell him that, if he must kill one person, kill me instead, and let you go.”
Wah! Like that cannot already. He cried. He said, “I don’t want any body to kill you. I don’t want you die!”
Aiyah, is ’sacrifice’ a word too difficult to explain? Maybe I am too lousy. :p
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Hahahahhaa, so cute! but I too think it’s a big word to explain.
hahaha cute, yeah it’s too big word to explain to him right now. His expression must be funny then
hahaha, very funny and interesting indeed. we can never predict how those little minds work
Well you certainly did better with this than I would have! I’m sure you’ll have to explain this more as time goes on just to re-assure him. This is a story you’ll tell him when he gets older I bet…especially when he asks to borrow the car. haahaa =)
Vivianz/elwi: Ya, so big word to explain to a 4 yo kid, right? I shouldn’t have started it, maybe should just say the land has a lot of blood (but he will ask me why). Hahaha!
Ai Ling:
Very difficult to predict what he thinks next. LOL!
Pat: Hmm… you are right, when he grows up, he might ask this again. But what is it to do with borrowing the car and sacrifice? :p pardon me for being so slow in catching it! :p
hahahahahha very funny explanation lah…
I am acctually writing an English paper on the word “sacrifice” and I know an example you could use that won’t frighten him. It is a small sacrifice, but it is still, in a sense, a sacrifice.
If someone was out in the rain without a coat or an umbrella and someone with an umbrella gave that person their umbrella, their only protection from the rain, than they are sacrificing getting wet and sick in order to help someone else.
Stephanie Kok: Ya, I think I failed! :p
Melanie: Thank you for dropping by and lept this comment! You are so right. After reading your comment, I realized that I could also use other examples that are easier for him and relevant to him. For example, I can say: Let’s imagine we have only 1 piece of chocolate left. Mama loves chocolate very much, and I feel like eating it up. But I remember Ian also loves chocolate. Because mama loves him so much, mama has decided not to eat it and gives it to Ian. What about this?
Thank you very much!
You’re welcome. I work with children a lot and I have a lot of cousins close to his age, so I understood your situation. I’m just glad I could help. ^^
Melanie:
Definitely very helpful! 