In a dictionary, childhood means ‘child’s state; period of being a child’. But the meaning of the word, I believe, is not limited to the meanings printed in any dictionary. Childhood is also a state of being associated with more ‘nos’ than any other period of human life, as it has no tension, no caste, no creed, no religion and so on. Besides, ignorance and innocence are part and parcel of childhood.

We, in our childhood, are eager to reach to any other period of human life, and as adults, we wish to go back to our childhood, even though it is well known fact the former is sure to happen while the latter is just impracticable.

Tired of books, examinations and studying, I wanted to grow up to go to office. Now working in a limited company, I desire to revert to my childhood only to escape my bosses and long working hours facing computer. However, I have to accept the reality – the childhood is my past, my future is before me, and where I stand is my present. Actually, I am sitting now to write about childhood and my opinion about it.

Like other children, I played and enjoyed with my neighbours. Hide and seek was my favourite, and the child inside me still plays the game with me. Cricket and badminton were the other games that had fascinated me. My childhood was at its best when I stayed at a place in Bauria, Howrah, West Bengal. That may be the reason why I cried when we moved to some other place in Bauria. I never cried after that when we moved, thinking moving is a part of life.

Sometimes my parents say I was very naughty in my childhood. But I do not remember much about my being naughty. Once I broke the head of my neighbour with a battery, which I thought would be easy to catch if I throw. A ball and a battery are different things, I learned and never forget it.

Giving up the chase of my childhood in the past, I begin to entertain the child, playing hide and seek with me.