Tom George aged 6 years studying in UKG in Bishop Cottons Boys’ School.

Tom has just one grouse. His pets — Rocky and Snowy — just died. The two fishes, he says, died because they “weren’t fed well”. He has decided not to get any more fish home. “Now, I want a nice dog,” he is clear.

He loves Superman, and Disney Channel, he says, is full of his favourite characters. In fact, he has a number of preferences. “White, green and red are my favourite colours, and I choose my clothes,” he says.

This Children’s Day, Tom has a list of things to do. “I am going to run for the race. I will be dancing too. Maybe take part in drawing,” he says. Given a choice to do all the things his heart desires on the day, Tom says: “Then I will watch a lot of TV and play computer games.” He wants to go out, visit toy shops and pick up whatever he likes.

Tom’s favourite sport is riding his cycle around the DRDO campus where he lives. His mother Rose Abraham is a senior scientist and father Jesmon George an IT professional. “I take tennis lessons at school,” he says.

Tom aims to be “big. I want to join the army because I want to fight the enemies,” he says. Though he isn’t clear who the enemies are, he is clear that he wants to be fit to fight. “I want to help my younger brother Sam whenever danger comes,” he says.