After morning mass yesterday, we went to a hypermart to buy some groceries for the coming week. JM took a cart as usual from the entrance of the hypermart, pushed it as we went along shopping. Before we have even started, we saw from a distance a giant purple elephant mascot approaching our way. I saw his eyes grew big as if terrified with the approaching thing. The mascot looked as if it was really coming our way, he told me he would turn left to the men’s clothing section to avoid it. I didn’t bother to ask why. To my surprise the mascot followed us right into the men’s section and when JM saw this, he was gone in a second, completely abandoning the still empty cart in my hands. I had no idea where he had gone. Drowned in the weekend crowd and I thought the possibility of finding my son was  nil. I was deeply worried not because my son is not capable of going home by himself, but of those bad people preying on young , innocent children who are unaccompanied. I kept on calling  his name at the top of my voice, searched every corner of the hypermart, returned back to the men’s clothing section , but my search was futile. I nearly gave up hope, I thought of offering a prayer for his safe return to me. . . . he’s the only child I’ve got, please dear Lord, please return  him safely to me. A voice told me to return back once again in the men’s clothing section and for the last time, I called out his name. At times like this I didn’t care if the other shoppers were staring at me. One last call, I saw him emerged from  behind a line of men’s polo shirt , rushed towards me with an embrace. He was given a lecture of course, but I was really grateful he’s back to me safely. I asked why he ran away, he told me he dislikes mascots , any color, any form, as long as they are mascots, he’s overwhelmed by their size. Too gigantic I think for a boy like him.