Quick Revision
| Parents MAY | Parents may NOT | Because |
|---|---|---|
| give love | give their thoughts | children have their own thoughts |
| house their bodies | house their souls | souls dwell in the house of tomorrow |
| strive to be like them | make them like themselves | life goes not backward |
The central metaphor
- Bow = parents (stable)
- Living arrows = children (they fly)
- Archer = God, who sees the mark on the path of the infinite
Five lines to remember
- Your children are not your children.
- They come through you but not from you.
- You may give them your love but not your thoughts.
- You may house their bodies but not their souls.
- Let your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness.
[Exam Tip] — Do not write that parents should be "indifferent" or "leave children alone". The Prophet asks for love and support without possession.