When My Son Asked, ‘Will I Also Get New Mumma Papa?

As parents, we often find ourselves unprepared for the deep questions and emotions our children experience. Recently, my 5-year-old son, Hitarth, went through something that left me both heartbroken and amazed at the depth of his innocent heart. What started as an everyday moment of watching a baby pigeon turned into an emotional journey of fear, grief, and healing—both for him and for us as parents.

The Baby Pigeon That Captured Their Hearts

It all began with a pigeon building its nest outside the window of my friend’s house, where Hitarth and his little friend often play. The baby pigeon was born there, and these two kids would excitedly peek through the glass every day to check on it. They were waiting for the big moment—the day it would finally fly.

The anticipation grew with each passing day as they watched it grow stronger. That small bird had become part of their lives, sparking endless curiosity and joy.

The Heartbreaking Discovery

Yesterday, around 2 p.m., when we looked out, the baby pigeon wasn’t in the nest anymore. Living on the third floor, we naturally assumed it must have flown away. However, something didn’t feel right. While we were trying to make sense of its sudden disappearance, we glanced down and saw it lying on the ground, lifeless.

I cannot describe how that moment shattered us. My heart broke for the tiny creature, but even more so for Hitarth and his friend, who had so lovingly cared about its well-being.

Hitarth’s Struggle to Process Loss

Hitarth was deeply affected. From that moment on, he spoke of nothing else but the baby pigeon. He bombarded me with questions:

• “Where is he now?”
• “Why did he fall?”
• “Why did his parents let him fall?”
• “Why its parents didn’t save it.”

His little mind was trying so hard to understand the harsh reality of death. These innocent questions reflected his pure heart, struggling to make sense of something so tragic.

At around 2:15 p.m., my friend and I decided to check on the spot where the pigeon had fallen. As we were about to go, Hitarth stopped me with wide, fearful eyes. “Don’t go there, Mumma,” he said. “The pigeon baby’s mumma will hurt you.”

He literally started crying as he was scared for me, not wanting me to face any danger. I realized he was scared, not just of the pigeon’s death, but also of what he imagined its parents might feel. He thought, if we go near the pigeon’s baby, its mumma will come and hurt us.

An Innocent Prayer for Strength

To ease his fear, we suggested he pray to Hanuman Ji. We told him, “Pray for strength for the baby pigeon’s mumma and papa.” And so, with his tiny hands folded, Hitarth prayed.

Though Hitarth already knew a concept of death we’d taught him before—that when someone dies, they go to Hanuman Ji. However, this time, we had to extend the explanation to include something more comforting. He kept asking where the pigeon baby had gone. So, I told him, “The baby pigeon went to his new mumma and papa.” His innocent curiosity shone through when he asked, “Why?”

To which I explained, “When someone dies, they get new mumma and papa.” I had no idea this explanation would lead to a question that would break my heart.

“Will I Also Die and Get New Mumma Papa?”

After my explanation, Hitarth looked at me with big, questioning eyes and asked, “Mumma, when I die, will I also get new mumma papa?” His words pierced my heart like nothing ever had before.

For a moment, I was at a loss, overwhelmed by the weight of his innocent question. Gathering myself, I held him close and told him, “Nothing will happen to you. You will always stay with us.” But I could see his little mind racing, trying to make sense of the idea of life and death.

The Story That Brought Comfort

Later that night, while getting ready for bed, Hitarth brought up the pigeon again. I could sense his fear and sadness hadn’t left him. He said, “I don’t think I can sleep tonight. What if I dream about the pigeon?” My heart ached seeing him so unsettled. I reassured him that Hanuman Ji would take care of the pigeon and protect him from bad dreams.

We also told him a comforting story:

We said, “The pigeon baby became a human baby because he wanted to play football and talk like you and your friend. He asked Hanuman Ji for this, and Hanuman Ji granted his wish. Now, he has a new mumma and papa who will love him as much as we love you.”

A Beautiful Prayer of Innocence

This explanation seemed to calm him. Before sleeping, Hitarth prayed to Hanuman Ji again. But this time, his prayer was filled with innocence and love. He said, “Hanuman Ji, please take care of the pigeon baby as a human baby. And I’m sorry if we ever troubled him by tapping on the window. We only wanted to play with him.” He felt a sense of guilt and wanted to make amends.

This prayer moved me to tears. It showed how deeply children feel emotions and how pure their hearts are. Despite his fear, Hitarth found a way to connect with the pigeon, to apologize, and to wish it well in its new life.

As expected, his fears returned in the middle of the night. He woke up, saying, “Mumma, I can’t sleep. I’m thinking about the pigeon. I don’t want to, but I can’t stop.” My heart ached for him. I was half-asleep myself, but I tried to redirect his thoughts to happier things, like our upcoming vacation. Nothing seemed to work.

Finally, I played the Hanuman Chalisa and other bhajans he listens to every night before sleeping. It took over two hours, but the soothing chants eventually calmed him, and he drifted back to sleep. His love and empathy for the pigeon were overwhelming yet so beautiful to witness.

Healing Through Faith and Love

Finally, after praying, Hitarth fell asleep. I watched him, hoping he wouldn’t dream about the pigeon again and would wake up feeling a little lighter. As parents, we often underestimate how much our children feel and understand. Hitarth’s journey through this incident reminded me of how beautifully complex children’s emotions are.

What This Taught Me as a Parent

1. Children process emotions deeply: Hitarth’s questions and fears showed me just how much he felt and thought about the pigeon’s life and death. It’s important to validate their feelings and give them space to express themselves.
2. Faith can be a powerful comfort: By encouraging him to pray to Hanuman Ji, we gave him a way to channel his emotions and fears into something positive.
3. Storytelling can heal: The story of the pigeon baby becoming a human baby turned a scary experience into a hopeful one, helping Hitarth find closure.

A Final Reflection

Hitarth’s journey through this experience showed me the purity of a child’s soul. His fears, his questions, and his prayers were all expressions of his innocent love and empathy. Watching him navigate these emotions made me realize how important it is to guide our children gently through life’s tough moments.

When he asked, “Will I also die and get new mumma papa?” my heart broke, but it also reminded me of the incredible responsibility we have as parents—to make them feel loved, secure, and hopeful, even in the face of life’s harsh realities.

Hitarth truly is a beautiful soul, and this incident is a testament to his kind heart. He taught me that even in loss, there is love, and even in fear, there is faith.

Have you ever experienced a moment where your child surprised you with their deep emotions or questions? Share your stories in the comments below—I’d love to hear them.

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