On Christmas Eve, many Western children visiting Amritapuri put on a short play for Amma.
After the play, i had a chance to speak to a few of those children
************
Gayamrita, 4 years, Italy

Were you here on Xmas eve?
Yes I was.

Did you participate in the kids’ programs?
Yes, and I was so happy!

Why?
… I don’t really know, but I was sooo happy! (claps her hands)

What was the happiest moment?
Oh, when I had to speak on the mic, but couldn’t stop laughing!!

And what did you say?
I said that I am Gayamrita, 4 years old, and that I live in Italy. Then I said loud: ‘I love Ammaaaaa!’

Why do you love Amma?
Because she gives darshan and prasad!

What do you like more darshan or prasad?
Prasad! And my favorite darshan is Devi Bhava darshan!

Why?
Because Amma wears a beautiful crown and a nice colorful sari. It can be blue, or yellow, or red…. On other days Amma just wears normal white saris…

If you could offer a gift to Amma for Xmas, what would it be?
A prasad! …. the orange candy…

You mean the same one that She gives? Nothing else?
Oh well, yes, the best would be a ‘Torta Caprese’!! I love ‘Tirta Caprese’, my favorite! (It’s an italian chocolate cake with nuts, Gayamrita’s dad explains)

So, what did you love the most in the plays?
When me and all the children sang ‘Namah Sivaya’

What would you ask Amma to offer you for Xmas?
(thinking).. a Winnie the Pooh doll… and his friends too…all his friends! He has many friends, that’s why they make them small…

Oh?
But I don’t want those produced in some countries where they make children work hard!

Would you like to be here for Xmas again next year?
If Amma gives the cake, Yes!

What do you like more the cake or darshan?
The cake! The cake with cappucino would be the best! Darshan is nice too, but I can have it any other day!

So, if you could choose one, what would you choose?
…. I want both!

************
Meenakshi, four-years-old, Wales, UK

Did you participate in the Christmas plays yesterday?

Yes, I did!

What did you do?

I spoke on the mic I said, “We are all Amma’s children! I love Amma!”

What was the best moment?

When I said, “Hellooo, everybody!”

What else did you guys do?

We sang “Om Namah Shivaya.”

Why did you participate in all of this?

Well, because my grandma asked me too!

Did you also have darshan?

Oh Yeah! I went for darshan, and after Amma also put the chocolate cake right in my hand! I was really happy.

Why do you like Amma?

I like Amma because she always gives sweets! And also because she loves everybody.

If you could tell Amma something for Christmas what would you tell Her?

I’ll tell her that I love her very much.

Can I ask you more questions?

No, no, that’s all… [At this point, Meenakshi runs off to join play with her friends.]

*****************
Maisie, seven-year-old, England

Did you see the Christmas play?

Yes! I was part of it!
What did you do?

I said who I was, my name, age and then I shouted loud: ‘I love Amma!’
And why to you love Amma?

Because she spreads her love everywhere
What else did you do?

All the children sang, “Om Namah Shivaya,” and I was right behind the mic!

What was the most special moment for you?

When Amma gave the cake at the end. It was delicious…

What is your overall feeling?

I was happy! The play was really lovely…

If you could ask Amma for something for Christmas what would it be?

I’d ask her for a pet hamster! And I’d love it sooo much!

What is Christmas?

Christmas is when Jesus was born.

How do you know that?

Because it’s written in many books…

Do you love your friends?

Oh yes! Very much.

And why so?

Because they help me.

What if they stopped helping you?

They will, they will. They will always help me…

****************
Jordan, 11-years-old, Canada

Did you take part of the programs for Christmas?

Yes, I participated in it.
What was the highest moment?

Oh, I burned my fingers while holding the candle. But I could bare the pain and continued holding it…

What did you do during the play?

I introduced my self, said I was from Canada, and later I carried the candles with three other kids.

What else?

I sang, ‘Aum Namah Shivaya’ and ‘Wish you a Merry Christmas.’

What is the difference with the celebrations here and those in Canada?

Well, in Canada I get many more presents, and there is no snow here. But here, I was with Amma! So, the celebrations here are more spiritual and we sing bhajans.

If you could ask Amma for something for Christmas what would it be?

I think I’d ask for an Amma doll!

Did you have fun during the programs?

Oh yes! We were seeing ourselves when we were singing, and we come make faces and laugh. It was so funny…

What else?

Well, me and my brother kept making funny sounds on the mic.

What sounds?

Like. “Hi, hi, hi,” and laugh and stuff. It was real fun.”

Vishwapath, 9 years, Spain

Did you partcipate in the Xmas programs?
Yes! And I liked it very much.

What did you like most?
When Gayamrita, the small italian girl couldn’t stop laughing when she was supposed to speak on the mic…

What was your part?
I said my name. I said that I am now in India, but was born in Spain… Then I said that I loved Amma

Why do you love Amma?
Because She loves everybody! And She hugs us all, and is smiling all the time…

Anything else you did during the programs?
Well, I wanted to sing more, but the adults came, and they also wanted to sing…

What is different between Xmas here and Xmas in Spain?
In Spain they give more toys and the parties are bigger… But here we are more free and Amma is here

What would you tell Amma on this day?
I would tell Her: ‘Merry Xmas Amma!’

And what would you offer to Amma for Xmas?
My drawings and paintings.

Would you want to be here for Xmas next year too?
Yes, I think I’ll be here…

—

Priyan
27 dec 2006