This essay is actually written for my first English Composition assignment this year. Its original title is “My Views On Childhood” and it is originally written on 16 Jan. This is the edited version of it, with some minor corrections to the essay. Please do not rip (in parts or/and in whole) my composition away!
COPYRIGHT (C) AngelX, 2008
To many grown-ups, the adjective “enjoyable” simply means “giving pleasure”, without them really understanding the true meaning of the word. This is because many adults are too immersed in their work to care about enjoyment. However, to a child under the age of twelve, “enjoyable” can be defined as many things, notably having more time and special privileges, and leading a carefree life. According to this definition, I would say I believe that living through childhood is like eating a bar of chocolate —— it is enjoyable from the start till the end.
Firstly, children have more leisure time to spend than teenagers and adults. School hours are usually not long for most children, and they do not have much homework. After they have done their homework, they are usually left alone by their parents at home, and are free to use the computer, watch the television or do any other things they want that are safe. In comparison to teenagers and adults who have long boring working time and little, no no leisure time to spend, being a child is much more enjoyable.
Secondly, children are usually not held responsible for the mistakes that they make. I remember vividly the time when I was only five-years-old and I saw the carton of eggs that our neighbour gave to my mother on the table top. The eggs must have, in one way or another, fascinated me much for I tried to reach for it by standing on tiptoes. However, due to my clumsiness, my hand hit the carton and the eggs just dropped to the ground, like exploded bombs. I thought that I was bound to get a scolding from my mother, and I hid myself behind the curtain, but it was a futile effort. My little feet were already exposed as the short curtain is not long enough to cover my feet. I was eventually found by my mother, but to my surprise, my mother did not scold me at all for the broken eggs. Instead, she laughed at me for hiding behind the curtain, which was an obviously useless hiding spot. She even praised me and told me that my frightened look looked cute. Reflecting on this incident, I believe that if the scenario was to change and it was a teenager who broke the eggs, a scolding from the parents would be almost inevitable. For minor mistakes, a child would be forgiven easily as most of us think that it is usual for children to make mistakes. Therefore, being a child is pleasant.
Thirdly, children enjoy more privileges than teenagers and adults who are older than them. On the first of October, many children would be celebrating Children’s Day with their families as they would not have to attend school on that day. However, such privilege is not entitled to teenagers and adults, who would still need to study or work on Children’s Day, despite the fact that they were also children years ago. Though teenagers have their Youth Day, most of the time, they would still be rushing to finish their homework on that day. Thus, better privileges are often offered to the children, making over aged children jealous of their blessed childhood.
However, some people may think that childhood is not enjoyable as children do not enjoy much freedom. Most of them have strict curfews, which when broken, could bring them a scolding from their parents. Most of the time, they are not allowed to use tools such as penknives and kitchen knives without adult supervision. On the other hand, I believe that childhood is enjoyable as unlike freedom that can be attained when the child becomes older, pure happiness that a child experiences during childhood is usually gone for good when the child grows up.
Childhood is really like a bar of chocolate. It is delicious and makes you happy. Moreover, you enjoy it when you have it; you yearn for it when it is gone.
COPYRIGHT (C) AngelX, 2008
