Xiao Xu Ben a revision of Shuowen Jiezi written by the Late Han dynasty scholar Xu Kai, supports the above mentioned definition of 小, by further explanation
The shape of the character 出 symbolises a step forward executed with vigour; each step starts from placing the heel on the ground. A strongly placed foot
Although the modern form of the character 手 may be somewhat misleading (6 fingers), the “hand” radical 扌 still resembles the ancient pictographs. One must remember
字 is composed of two characters, 子 (し, shi, “child”) and 宀 (べん, ben, i.e. “roof” radical, found in Chinese characters). 宀 in the character 字 symbolizes a