Philosophy for Children: A Critical Dialogue of parents with their Five-year-old son

Scene: On our way home from Sariaya (my hometown), we passed by the cemetery

Aa: Mama, what is that? Mama: That is a cemetery? Aa: What is a cemetery? Mama: Cemetery is a place where we bury dead people? Aa: Dead people? Why Mama? Mama: Papa, help me nga... Papa: Aa, all people will die. Everyone will die eventually, so that will be our place once we die. Aa: Everyone? Even daddy lo, lolo tatay, even Mama, even Papa? Even me? Mama: Yes Aa.. Aa: (quite sad and been silent for seconds) Why? Papa: Because of the limitation of our body. Some people die because of old age, some because of sickness and some because of an accident. Aa: So, what will happen if we die? Papa: I still don't know. Okie look Aa, the most important thing is you need to take care of your body so that you will live longer. You need to try to eat vegetables and fruits. You should limit yourself in eating hotdogs and chickens. Aa: I will eat a bunch of grapes and banana. Mama: That's right. And you also need to exercise. Aa: Just like my taekwondo. Mama: Yes. Papa: Aa.. You need to remember that dying is two ways. It is either you die for yourself, or you die for others. Mama: Papa.... (quite hesitant with the flow of our dialogue) Papa: Some people die for themselves only because they are only thinking of themselves. They are not thinking about other people. Some people die because for others because they are thinking and considering their fellow. It means that these people are nice and good to everyone. So which do you think is better? Aa: Being good to people. Being nice? But why? Mama: If you are good and nice once you die, you will be remembered by people. They will not gonna forget you because you have done good to them. But if you are bad, they will forget you. Aa: Just like Coco? Mama: Coco? What Coco? Papa: Is that the movie? Aa: Yes... Papa and Mama: (we are quite surprised because we didn't even watch it) Papa: Did you watch it already? Aa: Yes... in our school. Papa: Really? I don't think so. Aa: Yes... the hand of the boy became a skeleton there. Papa: Okie. We will watch it later. I will confirm if it's true. Aa: If it's true Papa, you will buy me a toy? Deal? Papa: Deal....