Ameya is very picky about her drawings. She does not like pre-made colouring books and refuses to just colour what they give.

She wants her own princess…her own angel, her own bed, her own flower, wearing dresses and gowns as she deems fit…

So, here goes one of those tough afternoons for me.

Ameya: Amma, draw a princess for me.

Me: Ok…Get me your book.

Ameya( Gets her book): Amma, I want a smiling princess…

Me: Ok…I go about drawing a face..a round one…

Ameya: Amma, not a complete round face…slightly oval…

Me: Ok…I’ll erase it here a bit…( start to redraw the face …)

Ameya: Amma…just at the chin is enough…

Me(Starting to redraw the chin): Is this fine?

Ameya: No, Amma…not like this. Here, she looks like someone else!( Which meant, it didn’t match what she had in mind. How am I supposed to know, who?)

After many iterations, I get the chin right. Then I start the hair…

Amma, I want long hair…like a princess…

I draw the hair…like one of those disney princesses

Ameya: Amma, not this haristyle…i want a hairstyle that can carry the crown…

I redo the hair to look good with a crown

Ameya: Not this one, ma..the ponytail one( Her ponytail meant the long hair with the brooch in the middle)

I work on it till it matches the picture in her mind…and then start on the crown itself…

Ameya: Amma, I dont want this design on the crown…i want green beads…

Me: Ok…Green beads, where?

Ameya: At the top..with a large red stone in the middlle…

More and more amused by this exercise, I take in every detail she provides and finish the crown…

We are now working on the eyes and I draw huge round eyes…

Ameya: Amma, not round eyes..I want the other shape…

Me: What does the other shape mean.?

Ameya: very pretty shape…

Me: (Exasperated, show her a picture of an Indian Queen illustration) Is  this a pretty shape?

Ameya:  Yes, that’s the one…

Me…Ok, great..( am drawing the eyeballs, now)

Ameya: Amma, I dont want her looking straight…I want her to look sideways….

Me: Why?

Ameya: She is a naughty princess…

Me: Naughty? OK..which side?

Ameya: Right…

Me: Now at the neck…draw some necklaces and earrings…

Ameya: Draw some matching design ..

Me: Matching with what?

Ameya: Totally disbelieving that I didn’t get it…”Amma, matching with the crown!!!…”

Me: Oh, Right! I forgotJ

Ameya: Now, matching gown…

Me: Ok…start drawing a gown..

Ameya: Amma, not that gown…I want a long one with lots of designs( She meant frills)

Me: Oh..Ok.( draw the frills…)

Ameya: Now the slippers…

I manage to satisfy her with the slippers…

Finally, I ask her…”you know what you want…why don’t you draw it yourself?”

Ameya: “ Amma, I am still young. You should teach me, right?”

If only I knew what I wanted from life so clearly!!!