A group of researchers asked children from 4 to 8 years old, the same question: «What does love mean?» They wanted to find the most caring child. The answers they got were broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined. See what the kids think:

“When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn’t bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather did it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That’s love.” Rebecca, age 8

«When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth.” Billy, age 4

“Love is what makes you smile when you’re tired.” Terri, age 4

“Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK.” Danny, age 7

“Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more. My Mommy and Daddy are like that. They look gross when they kiss.” Emily, age 8

“Love is what’s in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen.” Bobby, age 7

“If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate.” Nikka, age 6

“Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, and then he wears it every day.” Noelle, age 7

“Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken.” Elaine, age 5

“Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day.” Mary Ann, age 4

“You really shouldn’t say  «I love you» unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget.”  Jessica, age 8

“When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you.”  Karen, age 7

And the final one: The purpose of the questionnaire was to find the most caring child. The winner was a four-year-old child whose next-door neighbour was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife. Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman’s yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there. When his Mother asked what he had said to the neighbour, the little boy said: Nothing, I just helped him cry.