Heartbreaking conversations with a five year old stranger

"Hi!" says a boy, running up to me in an indoor play centre on the weekend. "Hi!" says I. "My mum has a baby in her belly." "That's fantastic news. You're going to be a big brother." "My mum's already had three babies die in her belly," says the boy, unfazed. "Oh." God, what can I say? "I'm so sorry." "It's okay. The babies are in heaven now." The boys trips off, and I am left staggered as to the ability of children to cope with all sorts of circumstances. Naturally, after such a confession, I sought out his mother sitting in the crowd. There she was, swollen belly signalling at least six months gone, and I felt such...well, almost love for her. Concern. Throat-constricting sympathy. Funny how people you pass in a room, in a crowd, can be the source of such private tragedy. I hope all goes well for her. I really, really do. Come away, O human child! To the waters and the wild With a faery, hand in hand, For the world's more full of weeping than you can understand. W. B Yeats