This not-so-little girl is anything but a simple, everyday country child. An acquaintance described her as follows: "This child is a combination of an angel and a fairy." And you know what? She hit the nail on the head! This is the child of the future, the little soul who has brought into this world the blessings of liveliness and artistic expression in every possible way. Her energy, her constant contact with nature, her barefoot walking and so on, awakens us adults from the long slumber of the values of this creation that have been forgotten or relegated to the depths of oblivion.
I can already see her slightly frowning face and hear her words: "I am not little, but I am big. Can't you see?" when she reads this story. And yes, she will make me laugh again, as she has so many times before. But this little story is not just about the mighty praises of Neja and the glorification of Neja. This time, I am going to highlight two of her outstanding qualities; compassion and helping the needy.
It was around Easter this spring. Like every week, on this spring day, she attended a religious education lesson. As it was Lent, the pastor encouraged the children to give up any of their favourite sweets or toys if they wished and to collect all the items in their own little box or gift bag. The collected items will be donated to children from socially disadvantaged families.
Neja was happy to take on the task. She saw it as a kind of responsibility and duty to brighten up the day of one of the children, who will get a particularly delicious meal that they have been deprived of for a long time due to the family's lack of funds for treats. Perhaps a toy will put a sparkle in a child's eye. It doesn't matter so much what is given, because adults and children alike carry unique wishes in our hearts, and we are all overjoyed when one day they come true.
She thought it over for a while, then decided to give up some of her favourite sweets, which she loves very much. In doing so, she has accumulated quite a few crickets. But because her imagination knows no bounds, she quickly came up with something else. She went with her little potty to her mother, father, sister, grandfather, grandmother, aunts... And lo and behold; the little potty was suddenly much fuller.
I have to admit that this is a brilliant idea from a nine-year-old girl, who has raised much more money to help her peers than she would have otherwise. I will not give away what the final total was, because that is not important at all. But it is worth mentioning once again that acts of kindness and compassion, and the willingness to give something to someone, are important for what will bring a smile to another person's face, and perhaps something even more powerful, such as a feeling of happiness in the heart. When you feel that you are not forgotten, that you are never alone and that there is always someone somewhere who will come to your rescue or brighten your day with a wonderful gift when you least expect it. And that's what Neja did, a young girl whose deed is an example to be proud of and to look up to.
Jožica Kous, 28.6.2025
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