We were at the Bookworm cafe this evening where Leila found a stuffed toy to play with. It was a Panda with a baby one attached.
She repeatedly tries to pull the little one out saying, “Baby,… baby.”
I walk over, and say, “The baby looks like she wants to stay with her mama.”
She slowly looks up at me, points at the big Panda and says “PAPA.”
I smile, “Yes of course, Papa! How silly of me.”
Published by natasha devalia
Author Poetry and Art books: ‘Tears and Grape Seeds’ 2025, ‘one touch of the rope’, 2024 and ‘Unseen Veins’, 2023
Zambian of South Asian descent, living in Thailand.
I write poetry, perform, and I’m currently an MFA (painting) student. The themes of my art whether expressed through movement, poetry, painting or as interdisciplinary forms include identity, belonging, mental health and family life.
View all posts by natasha devalia
We were at the Bookworm cafe this evening where Leila found a stuffed toy to play with. It was a Panda with a baby one attached.
Natasha Devalia 
This is so well written!
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Thanks Saloni, appreciate it.
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I was showing a funny kitsch indian action movie to Maher yesterday. The main actor Chiranjeevi, wears colorful shirt, sports a thick mustache and is blessed with luxuriant hair, tidied in a perfect brushing.
We were joyfully watching Chiranjeevi kicking some bad guys butts.
Leila comes next to us, checks the computer screens, points at the hero and says: “Papa” – nodding, stating the obvious.
Papa does yoga, papa runs, papa plays jazz flute, papa dances and sings indian songs. Of course, Papa is a kollywood star!
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hey marwan,
Nice to hear from you! Wha’t s a “Kollywood” star?
A lot of male characters seem to be “Papa” for L, including yoga teachers, characters in some of her books, and cartoons. The stuffed toy Panda with a baby was a first though!
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So cute!
xoxo,
Beth
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