I was extremely close to my dad. I think all daughters are very

"I was extremely close to my dad. I think all daughters are very, very close. But I'm the youngest in the family and I think I was my father's pet. So I was the closest to my dad." Thus spoke Tulsi Kumar, singer and daughter, her words heavy with affection and remembrance. They are not only the confession of a daughter’s love, but a window into the eternal bond between father and child, a bond that weaves tenderness, guidance, and devotion into the very fabric of life.

From the dawn of history, the ancients exalted the role of the father as protector and teacher. In the household of the Greeks, the father’s duty was to shape his children into citizens of courage and honor. In the traditions of the East, the father was seen as the pillar of strength, the one who gave shelter, who carried responsibility for the family’s survival and dignity. And yet, beneath this duty lay tenderness—a closeness often deepest with the youngest child, who was sheltered not only by the father’s arm but also by the elder siblings who came before. Tulsi’s words echo this timeless reality.

To call oneself the father’s pet is to confess a bond that is not merely structural but intimate, filled with laughter, favoritism perhaps, but more deeply with trust and closeness. The youngest child often brings joy to a father’s weary years, becoming the bright flame that lightens his burdens. History itself bears witness: consider Alexander the Great, who was the favored pupil of his father, King Philip of Macedon. Their relationship, though tested by ambition, was a source of strength for Alexander’s early life, and it was Philip’s training and vision that prepared him for conquest. Such closeness between father and child can shape the destiny of nations.

But Tulsi speaks not of empires, but of love—the daily closeness of daughter and father. It is a bond often underestimated, yet deeply powerful. Many daughters, like her, feel an instinctive tie to their fathers, finding in them a model of how strength can coexist with tenderness. A father’s presence teaches a daughter not only how to trust, but also how to demand respect, for in being cherished, she learns her worth. Tulsi’s story reminds us that such bonds, though personal, are universal—they echo in countless households across time and culture.

Consider also the story of Maya Angelou, the poet, who though she endured hardship and absence, later reconciled with her mother and father figures, finding healing in the act of recognizing parental love. Her closeness, though complicated, became a wellspring of her strength as a woman and as a creator. In these examples, we see that whether easy or hard, the bond of child and parent shapes the roots of character and the flowering of destiny.

O children of tomorrow, learn from this: treasure your closeness with your parents while they yet walk with you. Time is fleeting, and the days slip away like sand. The laughter shared, the lessons spoken, the quiet gestures of love—these will remain long after their voices fall silent. Do not take for granted the presence of those who raised you. Draw near, as Tulsi did, for such intimacy will strengthen you for all of life’s storms.

Therefore, practice gratitude. Speak words of love to your fathers and mothers. Learn from them, honor them, and let your closeness be not only a memory but a living bond. And when they are gone, let your actions honor their teachings. For in being close to them, you are also close to the roots of your own being.

Thus the teaching of Tulsi Kumar stands: to be one’s father’s pet is not a trivial boast but a blessing, a reminder that the bonds of family, especially between father and daughter, carry a strength that nourishes both heart and soul. Cherish it, honor it, and let it guide you as you walk your own path in life.