Recently, my son suffered a minor burn while we were camping at a nearby state park. While the adults were busy fishing, we decided to light a small fire to keep warm, capturing the children’s attention instantly.
There’s something elemental about fire; it captivates and draws people in. This is why we have numerous campaigns warning against playing with matches — children are naturally fascinated by flames. Fire is enchanting and powerful, and it fulfills a deep-seated, primal urge to control it. It represents both creation and destruction, nurturing and danger, all rolled into one. At our core, we are all drawn to fire, and kids are no exception.
We began by carefully arranging tinder to create a sturdy structure. We piled logs around the edges and sent the kids off to gather sticks to feed the fire. Once we struck the match, the flames danced and crackled to life.
The children were eager to engage with the fire, wanting to poke it and add wood. “Don’t touch the fire,” we cautioned repeatedly. They were allowed to gather wood and learn about logs, kindling, and coals. They discovered how to stand upwind of the smoke and the importance of not smothering a growing flame. We even permitted them to roast marshmallows, but we remained firm on one rule: no touching the fire.
While our 3-year-old seemed satisfied to maintain his distance, our 5-year-old was drawn closer, holding his marshmallow too close for too long. It was only a matter of time before something went wrong, and soon enough, it did.
A piercing scream shattered the tranquil lakeside atmosphere, escalating into a wail. My son clutched his hand, mouth open in shock, eyes squeezed shut. “It…burnt…me!” he cried.
Quickly, my partner plunged his hand into a cup of ice water, but the wailing continued. Between sobs, we learned what had happened. Despite our repeated warnings, he had reached into the fire to grab a stick that appeared untouched, but the end was smoldering, resulting in a burn.
He cried for an hour; burns are painful. We wrapped his hand in a bandage, grateful that it wasn’t deep enough to blister.
Yes, I felt relieved that he wasn’t seriously injured. More importantly, I was thankful that he had grasped the crucial lesson about fire: it burns, and carelessness can lead to pain.
Throughout the remainder of our trip, he kept a respectful distance from the fire. He successfully gathered wood and roasted a few marshmallows but never again reached into the fire pit. This experience taught him a vital lesson: do not touch the fire. Some lessons must be learned through personal experience.
This marks the beginning of many lessons he will encounter in life. Children can be headstrong, often disregarding parental warnings and rushing into potentially dangerous situations. However, we cannot shield them from every risk. They must learn through trial and error, through minor injuries and setbacks, and we, as parents, must be there with support afterward.
The allure of fire was strong, and he learned the hard way. I am grateful it was just his hand this time.
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Summary
In a camping trip, my son learned a profound lesson about fire after suffering a minor burn. Despite our warnings, his curiosity got the better of him, leading to an important life lesson: fire can cause harm if not respected. This experience illustrates the necessity of allowing children to learn from their mistakes while we provide support as they navigate their growth.