Shishukunj

The True Gift of Life

It was Lily’s birthday and she was eagerly waiting for her mother who was supposed to bring the birthday cake, chocolates and other gifts. She was keenly waiting for her mom as time ticked away for the birthday party. Lily was getting upset with her mother’s delay and to make it worse, her mother was not even picking up the phone when she called!

“Oh, how is it that mom is not even picking up her phone? Now what should I do?” thought Lily with anxiety.

Just then the phone rang indicating a call from her mother’s phone. Lily answered with an aggressive tone reflecting her anger and frustration. But to her surprise it was not her mother who was calling, but a stranger’s voice on the other end. “There has been an accident and we are moving the injured to the hospital. We found the purse of Mary Smith with a mobile phone, driving license and ID card. Please do not panic. We shall inform you as more details become available,” he said.

Lily was stunned and unable to utter a word. She ran to her room and between broken sobs prayed to God, “O God, please don’t do this. I don’t want any gift, cake, chocolate or party for my birthday, I only want my mom back safe.”

Suddenly, her mother arrived home, “Lily dear, I am sorry for the delay. Actually, I lost my wallet on the way. I must have left it in the bus,” she said.

“I love you mum, more than anything. I didn’t realize how important you are to me before I felt I lost you,” Lily said while crying in relief.

“Mom you are the best gift that I can have in my life.”

Amicability

‘A friend is someone who understands your past, believes in your future, and accepts you just the way you are.’

I, as a keen observer, take bountiful time to open myself in any social gathering, while making friends and in being social. People often comprehend my character as unsocial or introvert. I have never reacted to these comments as I know that one fine day, the Almighty would bless me with his finest creation which he has secured only and only for me.

With this reliance, I grew up and started my career. In the workplace, I met different people of different temperaments. I became friend to all. Some called me ‘R.B.I.’ while others defined me as diplomatic but this time also, I didn’t react. I considered friendship as a quality time spent in the company of those whom I know well.

Then came that eminent phase of life where I aspired to go beyond my capacity at an age when others prefer stability. I was unfamiliar to this life lesson. Hitch and hesitation often obturated my progress. I felt slightly reluctant to communicate with young colleagues. However, with the grace of God, I found a friend, who came as a gentle breeze, as a maiden monsoon shower to drench me with her goodness. We were quite different but we were alike too. The cord of honesty bound both of us. I could discuss my doubts with a comfortable ease. Her words of motivation would infuse energy in my veins to face and crush the challenge.

Gradually, I developed a cordial relationship with all. Some would entice me to taste delicious delicacies. While others would leave no stone unturned in transforming me into a techno-savvy employee. There were a few significant personalities who cracked jokes which rejuvenated me.

After one year of my association, now when I walk through the corridor of my school building, I find every element (from quotes to classes) desperate to evolve an alliance with me.

Hence, dear readers, enjoy the fruit of friendship. Life is too ponderous without this charming bonding. Seek then, an authentic friend who recognizes the song of life in your heart and can sing it back when you have forgotten the words.

An Acknowledgement

Some humans come, some go
But the ones I met lately
I hope remain what you call constant.
‘Forever’, a word I called rubbish, strange,
But these people, they make me believe
That some definitions can change.

Ups and downs are things
That can be overlooked, quite effortlessly,
But these humans have imparted in me,
Whatever it is, I realise, needs a bit of care.
Without talking to them,
Each of my days feels kind of blank, kind of lonely.

You make me ponder upon the deeds I did
To get people like you around me.
You impeded numerous actions of mine
Which could’ve altered the reality which exists today,
Have handled me when nothing was left except dismay.
To the echoes of our laughter
The tears you’ve stopped.

You give me the power
To fight valiant, not a lot.
Have made me realize that contentment is a word
And have taught me how to stand after falling in the mud.

To the individuals who I dedicate this to,
I call you worth every word quoted here.

Artistry

‘Everyone has talent. What is rare is the courage to follow the talent to the dark place where it leads.’ -Erica Jong

Gone are the days when the young fledgling of the family had to struggle a lot to secure his place in the society as the proficient one. After minute scrutiny a certificate titled inept was casually awarded and that child had to shoulder this discernment throughout his life with almost faint scope to stretch.

Hailing from a similar background where sibling comparison was a trend practised on a regular basis, I often lamented in solitude, to ask as to how a child can be conferred a title like this when the universal creator has not drawn any line of difference.

Stimulating the imagination and creativity of innumerable students in my class, I find that each floweret has a unique personality, born with conspicuous talent which is yearning to fulgurate.

As an educator, I extend my ardent gratitude to the enduring education system where the curriculum demands to enrich and enhance the talent of every individual, where every child is appreciated for his subject of interest, where every child is considered and evaluated not only on the academic basis but also on the basis of co-curricular skills because we have to welcome this certitude that a fish can’t fly like a bird and an elephant
can never jump like a monkey.

So, my young friends, strengthen your character and competence. Explore your hidden talent to enhance your credence in this world as ‘Your talent is God’s gift to you. What you do with it is your gift back to God’.

Luxury

The gleaming water of the lake
Surrounded by the banyan trees
Is far better than the cities
In which we live our lives so dull
Without any time to set us free.

The jungles we have created
Which are of concrete
Provide us with homes so to say
Full of luxury.

But as far as I know
There is no place as luxurious as where I lie
Beside the gleaming water of the lake
Surrounded by the banyan trees!

Sow Me

Sow me, as I am a seed
It will be a good deed
I just need
Water, sunlight, air
And your Love and Care
After some days and months
I will grow into a sapling
Hearing all the claps
My leaves and branches will grow
Just because of your Love and Care
You just sow me
And that will be your good deed.

Dear Nature

How good to lie a little while
And look up through the trees
The leaves of autumn are like a smile
So is the autumn breeze.

Then I shiver in the winter cold
And wish nowhere to go
I see through my windows of gold
The trees hanging with snow.

The woodlands, now filled with cherry shower
And sheets of rosy lilac wreaths
I bend and smell every sweet flower
That enjoys the air it breathes.

I seem to love dear Nature in her rush
And the way she likes to tease
With rich blossoms that seem to gleam and blush
But don’t wish to stay with ease.

If I Had All The Time In The World

It is rightfully said, “Time and tide wait for none”
That’s why I say, “Live to the fullest, and dazzle your life with fun”
And if all the time in the world were in my possession suddenly
“It must be a dream”, I’d say to the inner me
IF I HAD ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD,
KEYS TO THE LOCKS OF LIMITATIONS I WOULD’VE EARNED

If this really happened, it’d be magical, a dream come true
Answers to mysteries would come, like ‘Why is the sky blue?’
My timetable and routine would be flying all over the place I’d say to the judges, “No need to time the race.”
IF I HAD ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD,
A HOLE THROUGH MY ROUTINE I WOULD’VE BURNED

But this possession of mine could also give unfortunate results
For instance, of extreme laziness I would experience bursts
I would also very well lose track of my time
For hours on end, I’d just be counting a few dimes!
IF I HAD ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD,
I MIGHT’VE WASTED IT GAZING AT SMALL, SILLY BIRDS

Having all of the time of the world would be great as well
The pros of which, for you, I shall spell
I could use it for indeed a very good reason
To spend more time with my cousins in the summer season
IF I HAD ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD,
MY TIME FOR ENJOYMENT WOULD BE TREBLED

As I brusquely nibble away at my toast
And my mom puts food into the oven to roast
I realize that all this should rather remain only a fantasy
As it would, undoubtedly, plague the minds of those who wish to imagine it in reality
IF I HAD ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD,
I’D LEARN TO VALUE IT MORE THAN AN EMERALD

On a final note, I wish to say
Time is precious, at all costs, you mustn’t waste it away
For the darkness of failure would shake you down and make you pay
After which in your eyes only despair shall sway
IF I HAD ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD, I’D REFUSE TO KEEP IT, FOR IT WOULD MAKE MY LIFE TROUBLED

The Plea to be Free

Hear the cries of the animals

They need your help,

But instead of helping them,

People are busy counting their wealth.

“You were a prisoner too

How did you feel then?”

Asks the lion of the zoo,

“Didn’t the women cry then

When British imprisoned their men?”

I have the right to stay free

Says the bird with her mate

Everyone has the right to freedom

Doesn’t that your constitution state?

‘Tigers are dying of poaching’

You learn that about me,

But you keep buying our parts

Instead of making us free!

Hear the cries of the animals

Say all the animals of the zoo

We all want to be free

Under the spectacular shades of blue.

Please don’t destroy on habitats

By building houses and malls

We plead to you with us our might

Listen to our protesting calls.

Light and Shadow

Light and shadow playing hide and seek,

Among rippling waters, grassy banks

And the Mango tree.

Bring to mind those bygone moments,

Of tugging pigtails and billowing skirts,

of the everlasting love,

Light and Shadow playing hide and seek,

In the parting of four friends.

Light and Shadow playing hide and seek,

Bring to mind those lazy afternoons,

Of graduating from Enid Blytons, of waking in the morning with a longing heart

Never imagining of our emotions breaking apart, as the bleak wind blows,

Life seems without its glow

Light and Shadow playing hide and seek

In the parting of four friends.

Light and Shadow playing hide and seek,

Among the momentary bliss

The four friends feel.

Bring to mind those precious moments,

Of whispers and giggles, true friendship turned into sour antagonism

Light and Shadow playing hide and seek,

In the parting of four friends

Category: Blog

The True Gift of Life

Amicability

An Acknowledgement

Artistry

Luxury

Sow Me

Dear Nature

If I Had All The Time In The World

The Plea to be Free

Light and Shadow

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