Smile Like a Child

মুরাদের কলম | হোসাইন মুহাম্মদ মুরাদ মিয়া

১৬ জুন, ২০২৬

Smile Like a Child — An Original English Poem on Innocence, Truth & the Art of Living

✍️ By Hossain Mohammed Murad Meah | 📅 Originally Composed: 23rd October 2021

📌 Introduction

Have you ever watched a child laugh — completely, carelessly, and with the whole heart?

There is something almost magical about the way a child smiles. No hidden agenda. No fear of judgment. No weight of yesterday. Just pure, unfiltered joy.

Smile Like a Child — Original English Poem by Hossain Mohammed Murad Meah | muraderkolom.com

In a world that grows louder, faster, and more complicated every single day, we are slowly forgetting how to feel that kind of freedom. We are chasing success, collecting worries, and wearing masks so heavy that our true selves are buried somewhere deep beneath them.

What if we could find our way back?

What if the secret to a meaningful life is not found in wealth, power, or status — but in the simple, honest spirit of a child?

This is the heart of the poem "Smile Like a Child" — an original English poem written by Hossain Mohammed Murad Meah, a passionate Bengali poet and blogger whose words carry the warmth of lived experience and the wisdom of a reflective soul.

In this post, you will find the full poem along with its context, meaning, a detailed summary, and much more. Whether you are a lover of poetry, a seeker of inspiration, or simply someone who needs a gentle reminder today — this poem was written for you.

📌 Context of the Poem

"Smile Like a Child" is the English adaptation and creative reimagining of an original Bengali poem — "শিশুর মতো হাসো" — written by poet Hossain Mohammed Murad Meah on 23rd October 2021.

The original Bengali poem was composed in a deeply reflective state, drawing from the poet's observation of the world around him — a world increasingly consumed by jealousy, dishonesty, material greed, and the loss of human connection. The poet found himself returning to one powerful image: the face of an innocent child.

A child does not lie. A child does not hate. A child does not chase the hollow pleasures of the world. A child simply is — present, joyful, and free.

The poem grew from that image, carrying five essential messages:

Joy over hatred — Choose happiness over envy and bitterness
Awareness over delusion — Do not lose yourself in the illusions of the world
Courage in honesty — Never fear the path of truth
Light over darkness — Step away from lies and join the world of integrity
Service over selfishness — Live for others, and be remembered beyond death

The English version, "Smile Like a Child," was crafted to carry those same messages across linguistic and cultural boundaries — so that readers everywhere could feel the poet's vision and be moved by its timeless truth.

This poem is not just verse. It is a mirror held up to the human soul.

📌 Summary of the Poem

Here is a stanza-by-stanza breakdown of "Smile Like a Child" to help you understand the deeper layers of its message:

🔹 Stanza 1 — The Call to Joy and Virtue

"Smile like a child, with a heart so free,
Let joy be the map of your destiny..."

The poem opens with an invitation. The poet urges the reader to return to childlike joy — not naivety, but genuine happiness untainted by malice. He calls us to push away hatred and envy, and to walk the path of goodness and virtue.

🔹 Stanza 2 — Warning Against Worldly Temptation

"The world is a maze that can lead you astray,
With hollow temptations that darken the day..."

Here, the poet issues a gentle but firm warning. The distractions of the material world — wealth, vanity, ego — can trap the soul. Once lost in these temptations, a person loses direction and meaning. The spirit withers when it feeds only on gold.

🔹 Stanza 3 — Courage in Honesty

"Life is a river, both restless and deep,
With promises broken and secrets to keep..."

Using the metaphor of a river, the poet acknowledges that life is full of obstacles and difficult turns. But he encourages courage — the courage to be honest, to resist temptation, and to overcome the baser instincts of greed and selfishness.

🔹 Stanza 4 — Truth vs. Falsehood

"The little ones speak with a tongue that is true,
In a world wearing masks of a deceptive hue..."

This stanza returns to the central image of the child — the symbol of purity and truth. The poet contrasts the child's honesty with the deceptive nature of a world filled with masks and pretense. He invites the reader to step into the light of truth.

🔹 Stanza 5 — The Call to Selfless Service

"Set sail in a vessel of kindness and care,
For the burdens of others are ours to share..."

The poet now shifts to service. He reminds the reader that a life spent serving others — not hoarding wealth or chasing personal glory — is the most fulfilling life one can live. True richness is measured in love given, not money earned.

🔹 Stanza 6 — The Legacy We Leave

"For when the long journey comes down to an end,
And you sleep in the silence that time cannot bend..."

The poem closes with perhaps its most powerful message: legacy. When death comes, the world will not remember our bank balance or our titles. What endures is the love we shared, the kindness we offered, and the hearts we touched. That is immortality.

📌 Main Poem

🌟 Smile Like a Child

An Original English Poem

By Hossain Mohammed Murad Meah

Originally Composed: 23rd October 2021

Smile like a child, with a heart so free,
Let joy be the map of your destiny.
Cast out the shadows of malice and pride,
And walk where the virtues of heaven reside.

The world is a maze that can lead you astray,
With hollow temptations that darken the day.
If you lose your soul to the greed and the gold,
The wings of your spirit will wither and fold.

Life is a river, both restless and deep,
With promises broken and secrets to keep.
But do not be fearful of currents that roar,
Let honesty guide you to safety once more.

The little ones speak with a tongue that is true,
In a world wearing masks of a deceptive hue.
Step out of the darkness where falsehood is spun,
And join the bright circle that follows the sun.

Set sail in a vessel of kindness and care,
For the burdens of others are ours to share.
Live for the many, not just for the self,
True worth isn't measured by coins on a shelf.

For when the long journey comes down to an end,
And you sleep in the silence that time cannot bend,
The world won't remember the wealth you have led,
But the love that you left in the hearts you have fed.

📌 Conclusion

"Smile Like a Child" is more than a poem. It is a reminder.

A reminder that in the rush of our daily lives — in the pursuit of success, in the battle of egos, in the noise of a world that never stops — we have forgotten something beautifully simple. Something we once knew as children.

We have forgotten how to smile freely.
We have forgotten how to be honest without fear.
We have forgotten that the greatest wealth we will ever carry is not in our wallets — but in the hearts of those we have helped, loved, and uplifted.

Poet Hossain Mohammed Murad Meah writes not just with words, but with a conscience. His poetry is a bridge between the Bengali cultural tradition of reflective, moral verse and the universal human desire to live a life of meaning.

If this poem touched your heart, share it with someone who needs it today. Because sometimes, the right words at the right moment can change everything.

And the next time life feels heavy — look at a child's smile.

You will remember what it means to be truly alive.

💬 Did this poem resonate with you? Drop your thoughts in the comments below and share this post with your friends and family. Your support helps this poet's voice reach more hearts around the world. ❤️

📌 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

❓ Q1: Who is the author of "Smile Like a Child"?

✅ A: "Smile Like a Child" is an original English poem written by Hossain Mohammed Murad Meah, a Bengali poet and blogger. He writes poetry in both Bengali and English, with themes centered around life, morality, truth, and human values. You can find more of his work at www.muraderkolom.com.

❓ Q2: What is the original Bengali poem that inspired this English version?

✅ A: The original poem is titled "শিশুর মতো হাসো" (Shishur Moto Haso — meaning "Smile Like a Child"), written by the same author on 23rd October 2021. The English version is a creative reimagining that carries the same core messages of joy, honesty, and selfless service.

❓ Q3: What is the central message of this poem?

✅ A: The central message is that the purest way to live a meaningful life is to embrace the innocent, honest, and joyful spirit of a child. The poem encourages readers to reject greed and falsehood, practice honesty and kindness, serve others selflessly, and leave behind a legacy of love — not material wealth.

❓ Q4: Is this poem suitable for students and children?

✅ A: Absolutely. The language is simple, rhythmic, and accessible, making it ideal for students of all ages. Teachers, parents, and educators can use this poem in classrooms, assemblies, and moral education sessions to inspire young minds.

❓ Q5: Can I share or recite this poem publicly?

✅ A: You may share this poem for non-commercial, personal, or educational purposes provided that full credit is given to Hossain Mohammed Murad Meah and the source muraderkolom.com is mentioned. For commercial use or publication, please seek written permission from the author.

❓ Q6: Where can I find more poems by Hossain Mohammed Murad Meah?

✅ A: You can explore more of his poetry and writings at:
🌐 Blog: www.muraderkolom.com
📘 Facebook: Murader Kolom on Facebook

❓ Q7: What poetic devices are used in this poem?

✅ A: The poem uses several literary and poetic devices including:
• Metaphor — "Life is a river", "Let joy be the map"
• Imagery — "wings of your spirit", "bright circle that follows the sun"
• Symbolism — The child as a symbol of purity and truth
• Rhyme Scheme — AABB couplet rhyme throughout
• Alliteration — "shadows... soul... spirit"
• Personification — "silence that time cannot bend"

❓ Q8: What genre does this poem belong to?

✅ A: This poem belongs to the genre of inspirational/moral lyric poetry. It combines elements of didactic poetry (teaching a lesson), lyric poetry (expressing deep personal emotion), and universal poetry (speaking to a broad human experience).

📌 About the Author

Hossain Mohammed Murad Meah

Poet | Writer | Blogger

Hossain Mohammed Murad Meah is a passionate Bengali poet, writer, and blogger who writes with the quiet conviction of someone who has thought deeply about life, truth, and the human condition. His poetry flows from the rich tradition of Bengali moral and spiritual verse, blended with a modern, accessible voice that speaks to readers across generations and cultures.

Writing in both Bengali and English, Murad Meah explores themes of innocence, honesty, love, service, and the meaning of a life well lived. His words do not merely entertain — they awaken, challenge, and comfort the reader in equal measure.

Whether through a simple rhyme or a reflective prose piece, his writing carries one consistent thread: a genuine love for humanity and a belief that every soul deserves to live with purpose, dignity, and joy.

📖 Blog: www.muraderkolom.com

📘 Facebook: Murader Kolom

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✍️ Written by: Hossain Mohammed Murad Meah

📅 Originally Composed: 23rd October 2021

🌐 Blog: www.muraderkolom.com