The Crescent Moon(14)

 THE ASTRONOMER¹

    I ONLY said, "When in the evening the round full moon gets entangled² among the branches of that Kadam tree, couldn't somebody catch it？"

    But dd [elder brother] laughed at me and said, "Baby, you are the silliest child I have ever known. The moon is ever so far from us, how could anybody catch it？"

    I said, "Dd how foolish you are！ When mother looks out of her window and smiles down at us playing, would you call her far away？"

    Still said, "You are a stupid child！ But, baby, where could you find a net big enough to catch the moon with？"

    I said, "Surely you could catch it with your hands."

    But dd laughed and said, "You are the silliest child I have known. If it came nearer, you would see how big the moon is."

    I said, "Dd, what nonsense they teach at your school！ When mother bends her face down to kiss us does her face look very big？"

    But still dd says, "You are a stupid child."