papa, I got a doubt...

"Papa, why do we have number plate on our motorbike ?", asked my 5 year old. As usual, I tried to explain the norms and procedures introduced by government to enforce the motor vehicles act.

The next question was, "What is government ?". Oh my gosh, why did I bring government here, when I myself do not understand their purpose.

I replied, "Ok sweetie, it is not the government exactly, it is the police who wants the number plate on the vehicles to track when you report a loss ( or to track the other state vehicle to collect their dues). It will be very difficult to identify our vehicle in a sea of same models and same colors in the city, hence the number".

I thought I had given a good answer on the purpose of number plates and felt proud of myself on how I made a 5 year old understand the purpose of vehicle registration number. As usual, she had her brahmastra hidden, out came the next question, "Then, why do bi-cycles do not have a number plate ? Is it ok, if it gets lost ? Is it ok if the common man's vehicle goes untraceable? ".  I just do not have an answer for this and all I said was, " Do you want strawberry flavored or  orange flavored lollipop?"