A Little Hand, A Big Reminder

This summer, while visiting the Gili Islands, I experienced one of the most touching and unforgettable moments of my travels.

I was walking with my husband along a narrow path on Gili Trawangan when a little boy, no more than two years old, suddenly appeared from the doorway of a small home. With the sweetest smile, he walked straight up to me, took my hand, and without hesitation began guiding me inside.

He had never met me before. He didn’t know my name. Yet, he welcomed me into his world with such trust and joy.

Inside the garden, I quickly understood what he wanted to share: cats. A lot of them, including tiny kittens, playing happily in the shade. His eyes lit up as he pointed to each one, gently pulling on my fingers so I could stroke them. He spoke in his own language, bubbling with excitement, while I replied in mine: “Oh, is that your cat? How many are there? They’re beautiful.” He didn’t need to understand my words. He could feel my joy in return.

We spent around fifteen minutes together, sharing this little universe of kittens and kindness. His father watched nearby with a smile, and eventually, his mother called him back. Before leaving, he turned, waved, and gave me the biggest grin.

It was such a simple moment, but it left a deep mark on me. Children remind us of something so important: the pure joy of connection. They don’t see differences in colour, language, or background. To them, the world isn’t divided. It is simply full of people to meet, things to share, and moments to enjoy.

That little boy didn’t see me as a stranger. He saw me as someone to communicate with, to laugh with, and to invite into his play.

And that is the beauty of childhood. It is also the foundation of my work as a Playroom Consultant, creating environments that protect and celebrate this natural openness to love, share, and connect.