你有沒有問過自己:「愛是什麼?」國外一群學者將這個沒有標準答案的問題,拿去問一群年僅4到8歲的孩子們,他們的回答是你想都想不到的可愛與深刻,讓人深深感受到「愛的真諦」。
「When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore.So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too.That's love.」Rebecca - age 8
「所謂的愛就是,我的奶奶因為關節炎的關係,而不能自己擦腳指甲油時,我的祖父就會幫她擦,雖然他的手也有關節炎。」—Rebecca,8歲
「When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You know that your name is safe in their mouth.」Billy - age 4
「當一個人愛你的時候,他叫你的名字的方式就會因此變得特別,而你也知道你的名字在他們的嘴裡無比安全。」—Billy,4歲
「Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken.」Elaine -age 5
「所謂的愛就是媽咪把雞肉最好吃的部分給爸比。」—Elaine,5歲
「Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt,then he wears it everyday.」Noelle - age 7
「愛就是當你告訴一個人你很喜歡他身上那件衣服,之後他每天都穿它。」—Noelle,7歲
「Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day.」Mary Ann - age 4
「所謂的愛就是,就算你一整天不理你的狗狗,但牠還是會很熱情地舔你的臉。」—Mary Ann,4歲
「Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs.」Chrissy - age 6
「愛就是你出門吃飯的時候,把你大部分的薯條都分給某人,但你不會要求他分任何一根給你。」—Chrissy,6歲
「Love is when Mommy sees Daddy on the toilet and she doesn't think it's gross.」Mark - age 6
「愛就是媽咪看到爸比在上廁所也不會覺得那很噁心。」—Mark,6歲
「Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK.」Danny - age 7
「愛就是當媽咪幫爸比泡完咖啡之後,她會先嘗一口看看好不好喝。」—Danny,7歲
「Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen.」Bobby - age 7
「愛就是當聖誕節來臨時,只要你停止拆禮物並用心聆聽,便會發現存在於你身邊的東西。」—Bobby,7歲
「You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it.But if you mean it, you should say it a lot.People forget.」Jessica - age 8
「你真的不應該隨隨便便說‘我愛你’,除非你是認真的。但如果你是認真這樣覺得,你就應該要常常說,因為人們總是會忘記這件事。」—Jessica,8歲
什麼是愛?在歷經種種風霜後,我們一時半刻可能無法回答出一個令自己滿意的答案,但這些孩子們的純真回答,不禁使我們驚覺,或許真正的愛,就藏在你我都擁有的赤子之心深處。