# On Children explained — The Prophet

> Chapter companion for The Prophet by Khalil Gibran.

## What happens

Almustafa responds to a mother's request to speak of children, teaching that children are not possessions but gifts of Life, with their own thoughts and souls. Parents are like bows that launch their children as arrows toward the future, guided by the Archer's hand.

## Themes in this chapter

### Individuality and Interdependence

Almustafa stresses that children have their own thoughts and souls, yet parents are essential as bows that launch them, illustrating a balance between independence and connection.

### Life, Death, and Renewal

The metaphor of children as arrows sent forth by the Archer implies a cycle of life, growth, and renewal, with parents bending to enable the next generation's journey.

## Character check-ins

### Almustafa

Delivers the discourse on children, emphasizing their independence and the role of parents as stewards.

### Almitra

Present as the woman with a babe who asks Almustafa to speak of children.

## Key lines

> Your children are not your children. They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself.

Children are not possessions; they are expressions of Life's own desire to continue and evolve.

_Almustafa redefines the parent-child relationship as one of stewardship rather than ownership._

> You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.

Parents are the instruments that launch their children into the world, much like a bow launches an arrow.

_This metaphor emphasizes the active but supportive role of parents in their children's journey._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_prophet_se/chapters/on-children
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_prophet_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_prophet_se/chapters