When I was two or three years old, I could not have loved candy more. Mother did not allow me to eat to my heart’s content, however, because too much sweet stuff causes tooth decay. She only let me have 2 candies a day.

 

Mother’s strict rule did not stop me from craving more, however. One day I wanted to have a third candy so much, but I was afraid of being caught eating it. After much deliberation I got a clever idea. At least I thought so.

 

I went up to Mum, a candy bar in hand. With a sweet smile I said, “Mum, please eat a candy.”

 

Mum was sort of stunned for a while. I had never done that before. She replied, “Thank you, my dear. I love you.”

 

Mum’s reply made me a bit nervous. I tried again, “Please eat a candy, Mum.”

 

“No. Thank you, babe. I am not hungry,” Mum responded.

 

Mother’s refusal made me disappointed. Seeing that my trick had not worked, I tried a third time, “Mum, you should not have said thanks to me. You should say, ‘I do not want to eat the candy. Baby please eat it.’”

 

In a flash, my intention dawned on Mum. She beamed, “Oh, honey, please eat this candy.”

 

Right away I tossed the sweetie into my mouth with great relish. On that occasion Mum made an exception because of my funny behaviour.

 

It happened over ten years ago. Whenever Mum and I think of the incident, we laugh out loud. I still love candy. For me, candy is more than candy. It is a sweet memory of my childhood. I will keep it in my heart forever.