Myths of childhood.

Myth is an exaggerated or idealized conception of a person or thing. Well as a child, we all have believed some myths that we all find funny and silly as we grow up. Childhood is the best period of one’s life! As we tried to make sense of the world, our imaginations often got the better of us. And with the benefit of hindsight, you can't help but laugh at some of the most absurd things you used to actually believe as a child.

Need a good chuckle? So here are some myths that I believed when I was a kid, hoping I am not the only one who believed in all these myths.

1. If you cross your eyes for long enough, they'll stay that way forever: Little Aadita always liked to cross her eyes for long enough. I used to do it whenever I wanted to. Thus, my parents told me that if I continue to cross my eyes for a long time, my eyes will stay that way forever. And I might even turn blind. Now since I have grown up, the entire situation seems funny! 

2.       God drops babies into this world: In my childhood, I used to believe that my mom got pregnant with my younger sister and me because she and my papa prayed to God to bless them with two daughters. Even while delivering the baby, God helps the mother to remove the child from the womb. Later, in 4th grade, I was introduced to Biology. I understood how are babies made and brought into this world. I really find it funny about the silly things I believed as a kid.

3.       Grandparents lived in an entirely black-and-white world: Back in my childhood, when I was around two or three years old, my Grandparents gave me their photo albums. Those were their childhood photos. Some of the photos were also clicked during their wedding. Since those pictures were clicked during the times of yore, they were black and white in colour. And because of this, I thought while my grandparents were growing up, everything around them was in black and white…. the trees, the buildings, and even saw each other in black and white colour. Hilarious!!

4.       Teachers live and sleep at school, in the school: When I was in my 1st and 2nd grades, my teachers always used to be present in the classroom before me and my classmates reached the classroom. They even used to be in the school while we were leaving the school. As a result, I thought that my teachers used to stay in the school. Moreover, if I saw my teachers outside the school, I used to get confused thinking, 'My teachers belong to the school. Why and what are they doing outside the school?' Like this was comical!

5.       All the dogs were males and the cats were females: In my childhood, I used to have all the weirdest thoughts that anyone can imagine. I dissolve into laughter after recalling this myth that I believed as a kid. I used to believe that all dogs were males and cats were females. And when they grow up, they get married and they have 2 kids. One of them is a puppy and the other is a kitten. Hilarious right?

6.       The role of a lifetime: I used to believe that actors dying in movies meant they died in real life. I assumed that they shot all the movies, in which they did not die before they 'died' in the film.

7.       Drinking tea makes one black in colour: Growing up in an Indian family, I was always told by my elders that, if I drink tea, my skin will turn black in colour. In my childhood, I used to believe my elders effortlessly. As a result, I never drank tea. But while growing up, I actually gave it a thought and realizes those were just myths. And secondly, if this myth actually existed, the same logic is applied in the case of water. Water is an essential element in one’s life. One needs water for survival. And if tea can make one’s skin tone black, by now everyone should have become transparent.

8.       Sleeping was a punishment: Mini-me never liked to sleep, and now that I have grown up, I have completely become the opposite. I love sleeping. In my infancy and early school days, my parents used to make me sleep at 10 at night and wake me up at almost 5 or 5.30 in the morning. I hated it. And now, I find pleasure in sleeping. My goal is to sleep by 11 at the night. And I think, almost all adults or soon-to-be adults feel the same thing.