By Muthoni Maina

What if?
You let a child actually fail
Look at them fall
Instead of you making it easy
You watch

What if?
This child fails to rise
Is filled with despair
Gives up
And something inside them dies

What if?
They believe in self
Rises and dreams again
Dares to jump again
They win

What if?
You offer them help
You lead and guide
You share your past experiences
You teach

The child to rise, but you,
Who taught you?
To speak with hate to self
To be mean
While extending grace to others

Your identity changes and suddenly,
‘I’m not built for this’
‘No, I cannot do it’
‘I’m not good at this’

But how?
How did you settle on that?

You haven’t jumped yet,
But you’ve already predicted your fall

What if?
This child is you
Would you watch or teach?