Adults and children- How different are they?

‘Children see magic because they look for it’- Christopher Moore.  Childhood is the best of all seasons of life. Children see life without fear or favor; the world is full of magic for them and every step is an adventure. Children, as they are curious by nature are open to everything; they want to explore and experience . Adulthood, however, comes with a lot of responsibilities. The world starts to look rather predictable and one’s  opinions become biased. Adults, moreover, stop believing in magic and accept reality as it is – not hoping for any miracles.                  

H.G Wells, an exceptional writer of his time, also relates to this in his story the ‘Magic Shop’. On a fine day, the narrator and Gip (the narrator’s son) happen to walk across a magic shop on Regent Street. The narrator is reluctant to go into the shop but, upon seeing Gip’s urge and curiosity towards the magical tricks in the shop, the narrator gives in. Here H.G Well’s tries to show curious Gip is although the narrator is reluctant . When they enter the shop, Gip stays quiet and holds his father’s finger steadily as the narrator talks to the shopkeeper. As the story goes on and the plot starts to develop, Gip gets more friendly towards the shopkeeper though the narrator starts to feel the magic in the shop is a little too genuine for him and starts to get uncomfortable. When the shopkeeper plays his disappearing trick on Gip, the narrator is angry and worried for his son. Although when he found Gip outside the shop, the child looks amazed by his visit in the shop and is neither scared nor nervous and simply comes to his father with a bright smile on his face and four parcels in his hand. At the end, we can see that the narrator is still worries about the bill he has to pay to the shopkeeper whereas Gip is happy with the presents and incredible experience he has.

This astounding piece of work written by H.G Wells is definitely a classic. It is incredible how H.G Wells beautifully juxtaposes the viewpoint of how adults and children see and recognize their surroundings .This is a story that people of all ages will enjoy. 

-Inspiration from 'The Magic Shop' by H.G Wells.