Smart Sindara’s Respect Disaster: Aunty, Cousin or Mrs?!

Smart Sindara loved family visits. They meant laughter, games and plates filled with puff-puff.

One Saturday, Mum announced, “Your older cousins are coming today.”

Sindara jumped up. “Hooray! Cousin Kemi, Cousin Dami and Cousin Fola!”

Mum smiled. “Remember to greet them respectfully.”

Sindara stopped jumping.

“Respectfully?” she whispered. “Should I call them Cousin, Aunty, Miss or Mrs?”

Her eyes widened. “What if I choose the wrong one?”

Sindara’s brain began spinning. Kemi was married, Dami was much taller than Mum, and Fola still attended school. Surely, they could not all have the same title! What should she say?

DING-DONG!

Before Mum could answer, Sindara raced to the door.

There stood Kemi, Dami and Fola, carrying gifts.

“Good afternoon, Aunty Cousin Mrs Kemi!” Sindara blurted.

Everyone stared.

Then Kemi burst out laughing. “That is the longest name anyone has ever given me!”

Sindara covered her face. “I didn’t know what to call you!”

“I am your older cousin,” Kemi explained, “but in our family, the younger children call me Aunty Kemi.”

Sindara nodded carefully. “Good afternoon, Aunty Kemi.”

“Well done,” Kemi said, hugging her.

Sindara turned to Dami. “Good afternoon, Uncle Dami.”

Dami laughed. “You can call me Cousin Dami. That is what I prefer.”

Sindara’s mouth fell open. “But you are older than me!”

“Yes,” Dami said. “Families use titles differently. If you are unsure, you can politely ask.”

Sindara looked at Fola. Fola was only two years older than her.

“Good afternoon,” Sindara said slowly. “What would you like me to call you?”

“Just Fola,” she replied. “But thank you for asking.”

“This is confusing!” Sindara cried. “I need a plan!”

Mum handed her three bright cards.

The first said: GREET.

“Always begin with a warm greeting,” Mum explained.

The second said: ASK.

“If you do not know someone’s correct title, ask politely.”

The third said: REMEMBER.

“Once they tell you, try to remember it.”

Sindara repeated the three Respect Steps:

“Greet. Ask. Remember!”

Just then, the doorbell rang again. Their neighbour stood outside holding a parcel.

Sindara smiled. “Good afternoon! Please, what should I call you?”

“I’m Mr Bello,” he replied.

“Thank you, Mr Bello,” Sindara said, accepting the parcel with both hands.

Mr Bello smiled. “What a respectful young lady!”

Later, the cousins played a guessing game. Sindara held up pictures of different people.

“My teacher?”

“Mrs Adeyemi!” everyone shouted.

“Mum’s close friend?”

“Aunty Bola!”

“An older cousin?”

“Ask what they prefer!”

Sindara clapped. “Correct!”

At snack time, Aunty Kemi reached for the last puff-puff, but Sindara offered it to her first.

Aunty Kemi smiled. “That is very thoughtful.”

Sindara grinned. “I have learnt something. Respect is not only about titles. It is also greeting people, listening, speaking kindly and showing good manners.”

“Exactly,” Mum said.

Sindara lifted her cup of juice. “To the three Respect Steps!”

Everyone lifted their cups.

“Greet! Ask! Remember!”

Dami smiled. “And please never call anyone ‘Aunty Cousin Mrs’ again!”

The room exploded with laughter.

Enjoy Our Smart Sindara’s Respect Musical and don’t forget to enjoy new videos on Smart Sindara and Friends Channel almost every day.