Learning how small gestures can make a world of difference

Meet Veronica, aka Celia Chen, all of 8 years old. Young, energetic and enterprising, this United States' native of Chinese origin is truly amazing. She had some free time, and she told me that she had volunteered to help her parents at a Chinese eatery in Long Island, New York. She is amazing, because a child of her age anywhere in the world would usually be playing with her toys instead of sitting in front of a cash register in a tiny restaurant.

Her deftness at the till and her ability to charm customers were truly amazing. As she collected and handed me my takeout, and I in turn bid her goodbye, she gave me a lollipop. When I told her that I am past the age of lollipops, her reply came quickly, "In that case, give it to your child".

The way she took control of my order and collected the payment made me realize how one can take up responsibilities even at that tender age, and that there is nothing like a cut-off period when you can really begin. Age is no bar.