The Killer

“Oh common Willie, do not give yourself a flop show! This is not the time to fold your fins you loser!” said a small voice from within. Like most of us with frivolous inhibitions, Will had a hundred of his own. The blue of the water gave him blues, the coldness chilled his spine and the mere sight of limitlessness made him choke. Many a times he would wake up from his dreams thinking that he is drowning in the deep seas until his Mama would remind him ”Will, you are a big fish now, remember my boy and go make your life”.

Will was scared but smart. He knew swimming was not impossible, he realized that he was destined to do it. The ocean was the place to be! One fine day full of sunshine and showers, despite all his nightmares he made up his mind to go for the big lap. He tried wading through and against the high tides, every time he did that a magical instinct started catching him. He jumped in glee as he dived. It was pure ecstasy, something that he deserved. He knew ‘this’ was it.

The underwater seemed very contradictory to the silent surface, so full of life. It was the most colourful place he had ever been to. He made friends with Twister the turtle, Shirley the starfish, Oliver the octopus and many more. Over time the blue which once frightened him has now become vital for his survival. It throws new challenges, new routes and new opportunities. Each day has started getting better. The nights are now meant for some peaceful sleep. Everything inside and outside him feels natural. He is making mistakes but he is conquering his fears. He is learning about the little and big wonders that surround him. He swims all the way along the coast and in the abyss. He explores, he wanders because his only desire is to ‘live’.

Years down the lane Will is sure that he shall enter the big league, for he tries to make today better than yesterday. He oozes a certain flair and confidence with all modesty. When his buddies and strangers praise him saying” Willie, what a plunge man!” all he replies is”Oh thats nothing! All you require is a little strength in your flippers and flappers but trust me when I say a lot, a lot in your heart. Let me teach you, lets try now!” and lo he jumps in the air and dives into the waters. The world then completely spellbound looks at him and cheers”Voila! After all its our Will, the Killer Whale!”

Picture Courtesy: National Geographic

When we focus our energy towards constructing a passionate meaningful life, we are tossing a pebble into the world, creating a beautiful ripple effect of inspiration. When one person follows a dream, tries something new or takes a daring leap, everyone nearby feels that energy and before too long they are making their own daring leaps and inspiring yet another circle.

—Christine Mason Miller-

PS: Inspired by my Killer Whale, the killer of my fears:)

-R.

Ties That Bind

He was here before but it did not really feel like long ago,the path was decorated with the most colourful lantanas and the greenest of grass on either of its side.At the end was a gurgling river on the bank of which there was someone waiting for his arrival since quite some time.As her eyes shifted from one end to the other beyond the waters seeking him, she had a strange feeling about the morning because she was hearing something different.He crawled stealthily as he came near her,she was sure it was him.She had already made up her mind to interrogate him brutally like always for he was back after almost months.She had actually lost count.So she wanted to make her anger obvious and he like always got ready for what was coming in the next few hours.

He came close and patted her back gently with his paw and said a meek “Hello”.She turned and growled as he did expect.“So where were you all these days?” asked the not so pleased tigress.He looked into her tear filled eyes,he forgot his well rehearsed answer and she forgot the rest of her queries,well this felt very scary and bizarre.

“Oh! I was out in the jungles hunting, had a good time and what about you?”.She looked back at the waters again speechless,usually she would talk for hours with him about every little event that would had happened in his absence,about every game and every rain.He would often make these kind of long trips and bring his tales of adventure to share.But when he was gone the last time she did not move from the place he left,she decided to wait.And wait she did with a gut feeling,everyday in the same place.Two seasons passed,the nights grew colder and she never felt more lonely.Most of the deers and hares were hunted down and killed by the rest of the meat devouring folks,but her hunger stayed.She survived with the stream.Looking at her bitter state he was hurt.He asked her in a roar “What made you wait this long?”.She frowned to say “He will be here anytime soon, please do not move…so said my heart”.

He walked away without a word and climbed a boulder and sat there staring at her almost till midday, the sun sailed through the skies and reached right above his thinking head.She sat there without any change in her expressions.The green, the blue and the yellow never brought this warmth ever before for both of them.The river flowed with a new rage and suddenly thinking of him she felt a burst of energy inside her.His presence made everything perfect.

"As long as the ties that bind us together are stronger 

  than those that would tear us apart, all will be well."

She chuckled and he could not ask for more.They stood up and walked towards each other, brushing their foreheads and cuddling each other they fought with their paws.He earned a well deserved rip from her claw,but now it did not hurt.When dusk set in,they strolled towards their cave on the hill top.There was work to do and a life to live.He would go again wandering in the woods and search until he found his treasures, she would wait again back making his home for him.They knew everything about each other but nothing about the day called tomorrow.They would fight again.They would love again.She was happy because he survived her hope.He was happy because she lived for him.

PS: “The essence of life is statistical improbability on a colossal scale” so said Richard Dawkins.

Yet we shall not just survive but live!

-R.

Under The Greenwood Tree

Our mud hut is quite close to the forests,my mother often sends me there to get wood so that we can make fire.This happened once when I did go for some.The winter months had begun.We needed extra logs to keep us warm in the coldness and it would make her happy if I could get ourselves more, thinking so I walked away making my own path in the thickets deep.The clouds grew darker and the light stopped filtering through them.Dusk crawled in and I finally realized that I was lost.I forgot to look back since I was busy making my stack more huge all the way.

Pitter patter, I heard the rain fall in a hundred drops.It made me think of home.For a moment I stood there in a freeze unaware of what to do in the pitch darkness that surrounded me.But surprisingly fear did not invade me, there was something alluring about the place.I decided to walk more, wherever it took me.My feet turned wet and dirty while my heart was cleaned of all its uneasiness.I knew not where I was, but I was thrilled to become a part of the place.

I reached an open hillock in the middle of which was a towering tree, the greenest I did ever see.She called me with a pleasing stare and pulled me into her light breeze.I ran and stood under her,admiring the welcoming grandeur.When the storms of the skies grew in rage she seemed to lend me all her shade to keep me safe and sound.

Suddenly I heard a whisper in the air saying”Oh little girl, what brings you here?”.I wondered if I heard it right, yes I did.Good heavens she could talk!No wonder her stupefying calmness made me feel special right from the moment my eyes fell on her.I replied”Here for some wood,I did not make many and looks like I have lost my way!But why are you here in the middle of nowhere?".She gave me a smirk and said “Maybe to help you”.

Somehow the drizzling tempest seemed to last, so she let me stay with her through the night and said”Worry not when I am here.You can take my twigs and branches and sleep here till morning.I am a home to many,you are free to make me yours too!”

In relief I sat there on the grass beneath with my back resting on her.We talked about the old tales of the wild and the many weathers that she met in a year.She told me about the lions,the deers,the peacocks,the owls,the butterflies and the many men who rested in her bosom.I was more than glad for having been stranded with her.I heard things that nobody ever could share and I absorbed all that she said.She was content with simple pleasures,nothing of nature troubled her because all her life there was were she belonged. 

Picking the crimson florets I asked her in a bewilderment”What keeps you so fresh,so green,so supple yet so strong?”.She replied with a twinkling smile,

"A pinch of white from your frock O’ pretty dame

Rays of a light yellow from our sun’s fiery flame

A red from my fruits that in the springs do crop

Grey from the clouds that travel on my roof top

A heap of brown from the soil holding my earth

Colors these bring in my life the greenest mirth"

It felt like she knew that I would come one day,for her I was not just another passerby.It made me love her more.Like long lost friends of the forests we sang in the silence of the night making tunes that could wake up the sleeping heaven,hell and the world in between.Time passed like the flowing stream and a beacon of light arrived with the dawn.I could see the way back to my hut,a home I would never want to lose.And touch wood I now had two!I hugged her for the delightful peace and time we spent together.I so wished I could listen and be with her for more.I left thinking in glee and promised her to be back when I am not just lost sooner than some day again.  

-R.

Goodness Sake

 This post is on the winner's list of Good Over Bad Contest at Blogadda.

Harry pointed his wand to the Marauder’s Map and said"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good!" and off he went roaming around every secret passage and hallway in Hogwarts.We all are up to this weird kind of mischief every now and then.I believe that each one of us draw an interesting line between the good and the bad,a matter of perspective.However small be one’s gain,isn’t it a loss to another?What does it qualify as,good or bad?How much sin does it accumulate anyway? How often do we try to be more than humans? 

We value a person’s goodness based on what they have in store for us.Isn’t it an evil thing to do,i mean nothing but to expect.We often come across people who we think of as ruthless doing random acts of kindness,and the vice versa happens too.Some great man once said "Every sweet has its sour and every evil its good".I think it is the fair balance which counts finally. 

 In some moments of weak selfishness we tend to overlook the repercussions that follow our acts.But what we forget is that we can do something by learning about the world we live in with a clear conscience and give goodness a try by helping others or even at the very worse,learn about how not to harm anyone. 

For centuries we have been celebrating the victory of good over evil with a very raw interpretation.Amongst all the unpleasant things of greed,power,cowardice,money,theft,war,assassinations,terror and the endless we shall be highly fortunate if we make some place for and see peace,love,care,laughter,life,liberty,sense and determination.

A popular belief is that evil outshines everything in today’s world,maybe it does because the good stays silently hiding beneath.But there are a few who dare a fight and show.It is because of their kind acts of giving in the past and present that the world is still a beautiful place.I feel like a worm in these matters and I dare not talk about the blessed people and do them any less justice.My regards and respect to the many unsung heroes amidst us.Because to try and belong to that bunch of the brave requires a lot of selflesslessness.

Among the many who appeal to me here are a few that I shall thank,my Amma for literally living my life with me,my Appa for being the beautiful person he is,my friends who end up proving that they are the best in some way or the other at the end of it all.To live enough and to give more than enough is what I learn from them every day.Good enough.They bring all the goodness in my life.For me it all begins at home.

Of all the good I have learnt here is a story that Amma used to tell me during childhood,I remember how her eyes used to fill with tears during each of those narrations.Every now and then when I have to do or decide on something which has an effect on somebody else the melody of the song haunts me for some strange good.I guess every child here in Karnataka has heard this folklore at least once.There is an immense power that this story brings,it is for generations to carry.

"Punyakoti was one among the many cows of the cowherd Kalinga.They were like every day grazing in the green fields,dusk set in and as fate had it a tiger by name Arbhutta who was in great hunger attacks the herd.All the cows run for life and she is left alone,he tries to pounce on her.She convinces the tiger saying that her hungry calf is waiting back in the shed and she would return soon after feeding him.She makes a solemn promise and the tiger seeing her motherly concern lets her go.

She comes back to feed her calf and tells him about the incident and now that her final hour had come,she had to go.She asks her sisters and friends to take care of her son like one among them in her absence henceforth. 

The tiger is stunned with bewilderment seeing her at his den only to keep her promise of not denying him his food.He is touched by her honesty and self sacrifice.In tears he questions himself if God would forgive him if he killed and devoured such a pious and truthful cow,in remorse and realization he jumps off the cliff and ends his life."

Simple yet intense..poignant yet beautiful!

  

"We've all got both light and dark inside us.What matters is the part we choose to act on.That's who we really are"-Sirius Black[ in The Order Of The Phoenix by J.K.Rowling].

 

-R.

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Once Upon A Time

I am not here to be a laud legend and I do not want my life to be a fairy tale.Sigh.Two months already on this earth I lay here plunged in the darkness of this cave, my eyes burning in eagerness to meet  some light.But there are certain promises that I have been forced to make, my folks have advised me not to venture out in the random wilderness for there are dangers beyond my imaginations.There are people whom I would never want to meet,a world which I would never wish to see.

I see my angel who begot me go out there everyday to those ravaged grounds in search of some food.She comes back tired and bruised with a chunk of meat on some rare days of luck, she helps me fight and survive.It is such a comfort to have her back home and strangely her calm demure makes me forget all the hunger.

She often tells me that things are not like before, the endless riches of the wild are being plundered and we all are the victims.The slumbering forests with the howling hyenas, the gigantic serpents, the venomous spiders or the blood sucking leeches are not any danger.There are the other beasts of the worst kind, the blessed ones who live or so they consider. A feeling of safe matchless bliss for the beings of the wild is no more, and so have vanished the pursuits of fearless adventures.

Sometimes I see her walking helplessly on the bank of the thin stream beyond the dry land trying to sip as her tears fill the running water.She wants to teach her son how to live a life that he deserves, learn the skills he ought to know and wander in the jungles hunting for his own food, and most of all live in harmony with his fellows.But her enormous fears do not let her do so.

She has tried everything but in vain.Those mighty hands are everywhere in the land,in the waters and in the skies. The blessed ones pity our state and keep a count of our kinds.Protests and campaigns they make for a damage that is already done.Wonder who will help us live with an equal hope always just like them among them.

The night is getting darker and I see her not home yet.And like every day a hundred fears are pounding on my heart.The skies are covered with an even sheet of demon black clouds.And I wait.Hours and days like this will pass till the blessed ones of this world will begin to tell my story.Me will be a thing of the past.A fairy tale.A legend.

And so will end my story that I wish not to tell…a story that begins so...Once upon a time….

"A few steps in the jungles of majestic pride

Nothing deep and grave in my heart to hide

A life happy and good that is meant to be

My share of the world little I wish to see

All I need is the strength to roar

Nothing less, nothing more

Leave me alone,all alone

Before I am gone..."

-R.

One Faith

Sunset like everyday when an old man holding a stick double his height emerged slowly from the turn of the road.He seemed aged yet carried a prevailing semblance like the king of the land.And behind him followed his army whose bells jingled in tune with his familiar voice and song,a peculiar wool like odor filled the air.There were the cream,the black,the white,the brown and the mixed many.They moved in a flock brushing and racing against each other and yet keeping it together.If someone had the eye and the heart to count them they made an exact hundred and seven.And now we all know where the pride on the old man’s face came from.

At the tail end of the big fluff of wool was our not so famous hero, a little extra plump and fair walking in his own pace and looking around.He bothered about everything apart from grass,and today like always something behind the green bush caught his attention.He hopped aside and ran towards it.He did see some life flying there,so he wished he could catch it.Meanwhile his group was moving ahead hoping and knowing that he will join.

Like all the good face some evil now and then,a man on the road was mighty impressed with the old man’s meat and wool.He looked at them with a wicked grin and flaunting his paunch he asked”Care for some trade?You will get more than its worth.Its time I had a good meal,so do we deal?”.The old man replied”Oh well!Sure!Come to my hut down this lane in an hour,the fat and mad one out there in the end running behind the butterfly except  that and the rest of the others,I will have you on my plate soon”.And then the devil fled.

The gang almost reached home and this lost one was definitely out of track.He was getting desperate to find out what was behind the bush but now there was no time to waste.He had to get back home so he pushed the rest of the task for tomorrow.He knew he will be here again.He ran back to the road.”Where do I go? Where did they go? Right? Left? Straight?”he did not wonder even for a second.He walked ahead effortlessly and happy on the perfect road towards what he called his home,his destiny.He did not choose his way; he did not choose to stay.He did not choose his fate.He did not choose anything.The shepherd did.

Always,ONE FAITH is worth more than a million hope.

'The LORD is my shepherd…He makes me lie down in green pastures…He leads me beside quiet waters.'

Regards

Raksha

Invisible Light

I am standing here in the dark, alone like every day and waiting for Uncle near this toy shop in the corner, a ten feet ahead and five feet to the right from my work place. He seems to be late today; he has to pick all my friends on his way and the rain is turning into a downpour.The winds are blowing through the tiny and big holes in my brown frock, there are exactly six.As the icy air brushes past my skin, I can feel the cold and count them.I am glad that they are nothing like my dreams, in either size or number.I did ask Uncle to buy me a new one many a times; he says he will not until I earn more. I think he will be happy seeing my bowl today and get me one, now that I hear some extra tinkles I made during the day.No one wishes to sees this joy on my face; I cannot look at it or the people either.I stand here alone, feeling happy with hope.

The drops of rain are kissing the ground, I wish I could step my feet happy and ahead without this stick, open my arms wide and lift my head high dancing under the sky, if only I could walk home by myself without having to count my steps and fall.I wish I could just see the doll behind the glass pane of this shop before the little girl on the road who is asking her father for it takes it home.I want to see the coins I earn.I want to read books and learn.I want to see colours prettier than black. I want to see the day and night that I feel.I want to see the bird fly high.I want to have all the fun.I want to...

There are so many things I want to do...

Only if everything stopped being in the dark.He could have given me at least one, not if two; at least a little if not more.I do think and cry often, but I am unshaken.I ask none for help, all I ask God is to make me as imperceptible as the world fast and help me fly towards my life that I desire to make on my own, make me unseen like the rest and yet be a special for myself.I do not know if he will ever make my little prayers come true.If he can make all the things of my life invisible, let him make me too whenever I want to be so!

Then I will sway with winds but never get lost,I will be the song every bird sings, I will fall like the drizzle drops but never get hurt,I will have some stars of the sky in my bowl,I will be the light of the world more than I wish to see,I will give more than I can live and love more than my heart can own.

It takes more to be a human than to own two legs and two hands

I want no three grants,no treasure,no fairy dust,no magic wands

All I wish is one life to live,breath,make, smile, feel and see

There are many things INVISIBLE more than the world in me!

PS: Do visit: Gift Your Sight

Regards 

Raksha

Silver Linings

Love is blind, well it is also said to happen at first sight! This is no fairy tale, a story of two ordinary people who neither fell blindly in love nor it happened at first sight and they live life just like everyone else.They knew of each other quite well, they were good friends but never knew destiny will get them into a bond of marriage and make them man and wife.

He was the kind who believed there is no such day called tomorrow and lived for the moment.She was the kind who believed that there is all her life to do all that she wanted to and took each day as it came.He never planned ahead,she knew of what she is going to do next year’s winter holidays.Both were not poles apart, but different, and life got them together, they surely missed no fun.

He was impressed with the way she managed everything, from the hustles at home to the worries at work.He liked the breakfast that she made and admired those long curls of dark hair on her shoulder as she served it everyday.He looked at her enchanting smile which carried him to a different world altogether, she was not the princess he dreamt of but then she was his only wife, his pride!Sometimes she wanted things her way come what may,and sometimes she was an angel for whom he did pray.But she had a flawless appeal which made his life complete and covered all those shortcomings.She was well versed,passionate,suave and a perfect wife.He never told her how much he loved her and wondered if she loved him.He was happy that she was the woman of his life.

On the other green side of the grass…

She loved waking him up from bed and making breakfast for him everyday.She liked it when he nibbled the pen while solving the newspaper crossword early morning.He was brilliant yet simple and with him everything was always fine,he was not the prince she dreamt off but then he was her only husband,her pride!Sometimes he got on her nerves and sometimes he pampered her like a kid.He had an impeccable charm which swept her off her feet.He was smart,funny,adorable and a perfect husband.She thought of telling him how much she loved him and wondered if he loved her.She was glad that he was the man of her life.

They liked having a walk in the down lane after dinner every night, and today it looked like God had painted a few extra of those stars in the night sky.Today seemed the day,perfect weather.

They walked together under the light drizzle talking about the happenings of the day.And suddenly they stop,he looks at her cupping her cheeks in his palms and says”Darling, I gotta tell you something”.

 “Me too”she says smilingly and looking deeply into his eyes.He looks at her for a while and says”You forgot to wear your slippers while coming!”.She smiles again and says”Darling,you too!”.

Burst in laughter, they walk together holding hand in hand towards home,where life takes them.

PS: In pursuit of our dreams,in all that rush and buzz we often fail to notice the people who matter the most and who make a whole world of difference ,love requires no words for expression,easy as pie, for all it takes is a special joy of living to sprout in the hearts.

Raksha Bhat

Corked Blessings

Monday seemed so long ago.Sarah worked hard like most of the people around her.And this was a tiring week at the office, the current project was boiling eggs inside her head.But she liked it when it was always busy.The world was running, with men and women of her like, and she was not any far behind.

God gave her everything what she did asked for.A perfect bunch of friends,a perfect man,a perfect job,a perfect home and a perfect lot of money.This was what life was all about,but was this the end and why was she not happy.She always wondered.

The breeze through her office window brought those jingles they sang together, she looked at the sky and smiled.She was feeling her life getting sucked into a vortex of emptiness.She was missing the pats and hugs.She was missing the brownies he used to make for her.She was missing him.

 A countryside trip and paragliding were some of the things on her list, but tonight she was going to their favourite place with her usual girl gang.The clock was seeming slow today,she packed an hour before and wished those hands moved faster, when it struck five she raced down the stairs and drove her car out of the parking lot and reached her place in a wink.She wore his favourite white dress sequenced with purple satin, she looked simple but elegant.

She drove at windspeed,she liked it.She reached the beach.The girls were a happy bunch,Sarah loved them.They danced around the bonfire singing crazy numbers, a little wine and good food helped.She was happy,she liked this completely but could not keep her mind of him. Somehow today was not her day.

She missed him more during her good times, she walked away along the shore where they had made castles together.The grains of sand kissed her feet,the layers of waves danced beneath.He seemed to be walking a few steps ahead,turning and waving her a good bye,the moonlight flattering his already perfect smile.

She wished for a fairy who could drop him back to her world again.She gazed at the stars, there was a strange silence, a tear rolled down her cheek.

She took a few steps ahead and stumbled on something,the waves had brought it just then beneath her feet.It was an old wine bottle, like the ones her father used to drink.It seemed strange,she opened the cork.

  

A ring fell on her palm… memories flew past like clouds… how did it get in here…she wondered…

There was something else inside too, a crumpled note tied in loose threads...she opened it and read...

Dear Sarah,

Life gives us many things by chance and more things to choose,

Among them we know not when and where what we gonna loose,

But some people will never let you alone be,

And one among them is me!

PS: I threw this to the sea because you liked that tiny tot Peter’s doll more than this ring I gave on your twelfth birthday, I knew that lad is gonna be behind my daughter for all his life! If he ever ends up being your husband, tell him your father loves you more...always...and if you find this someday…ask him to put it on your finger and he better take care of my Angel.

"I love you" 

DAD

Dad!Her heart eased,he never let her stay alone!

Just then her phone rang, she picked up, and it was Peter.

"Hello Sarah, hope you are having a great time.I tried making some brownies,your Dads kinds, they are tasting good.Its time we marry, now that I can cook!

Come home soon.

Can I keep you forever?

I love you"

It was a perfect life indeed!

Raksha Bhat

LIFE is A-way

He was at the park,he spent a few evening hours everyday there,it brought a little life to his routine.His heart was sinking in a strange serenity and bareness.He liked watching people there,people whom he knew not,people who knew him as the Man on the Bench.He watched them quietly.The sun was on its way home,but he did not want to leave .Memories torment his thoughts,his being,his breath.But he did not move....

Two kids were fighting over a bicycle,the little girl wanted to ride first.The boy being a BOY wouldn't budge.She cried.He handed her a toffee dug from his rugged pantpockets.She smiled.And so did the man on the bench.An elderly couple walked by,the old lady gripped her husband's arm as she carefully watched his steps and did not let him fall,they looked at each other.The old man stroke his fingers over her silver white hair,they walked towards home.As he watched them a tear drop rolled down his eye,stuck in transition,only if she was around......

It seemed like yesterday,he had moved to a new neighbourhood.A pretty girl in pink wearing butterfly clips with her doll clutched in her arms knocked his door.She had come to make a new friend.She smiled.He din't.He loved football but she couldn't play,although she liked it.But she had something else for him.

As the summer came to an end,the two kids rode their bicycles to school together,they raced down and up the hill.She always won.He liked it.He liked her.He hated homeworks,she did it for him.He liked it more.He liked her more.Sometimes it rained,sometimes it snowed and sometimes the weather was just perfect.Life was just perfect.

Years passed and she grew prettier,and he was now a handsome young man.They were always together.Friends,families,college,movies,plays,books,walks,fights everything was just one life.He loved her,she knew not;she loved him,he knew not and that both were in love,the world knew....

One day they were walking by the lakeside,everything seemed as usual;they walked together always but today he slowed down and stood behind looking at her.She turned,he opened his arms.Eyes met.She ran toward him.The trees bowed and kissed the water and rejoiced,the joy spread in the air.

She looked gorgeous in the pearl white gown,she was the fairy in his life.They exchanged vows as they said 'till death does us apart'.They were now man and wife.He was the happiest man that day.

Life was a smooth sail,every little moment fit the frame.A few months later,she was getting weaker,she couldnt smile like before,her eyes sunk behind those dark circles,simple works killed her.She knew she had very little time,she was worried of him and the worry killed her more.He knew of the crab in her blood,he was helpless.The medicines and radiations made her worse.But for him she was as beautiful as before.

The sun had set early that day,she was lyin under the quilt looking at the window,as the last rays of the sun fell on her.He entered the room,hugged her and started crying and said "My Life is Away...going away".She smiled and said,"Your life is not away,life is a way and I won't let you go alone".He smiled and took her in his arms and she slept forever.

He saw her now under the sky dancing to the tunes of the wind,catching butterflies.He saw the same smile on her what he had seen when she was at his door for the first time.She was indeed a pretty girl.God sends his angels and makes our life beautiful he thought,but he calls them back way too sooner.He looked at the sky,gazed at the unknown.

The little girl came running towards him,she gave him her toffee.He gave a smile,his best one.He left the bench and walked away...life's way...

PurPle...so what!

The street is quite a hit among the eights and eighties alike;people are bustling around and John wants to earn some money today,a few coins to tinkle in his pocket will do.He dreams of going to school one day,his mom is not really keen on it because they are people who aren't that rich.He has to earn his living you see.I am lying in his bag among those hundreds of rubbery and smelly things,not that am any different!Ah!He picks me out finally!He is a tiny pea,all skin and bones and he is trying hard to pump his breath in,I grow big!Voluptuous!but hey wait why am I Purple?There are whites,reds,yellows,oranges,and her majesty the Miss Profound Pink with too much of a pride,she is flying high in the air.She forcefully releases herself against his wishes from the stick and seconds later she goes 'Dummmm!!!' midair,if only she had stayed cool and listened!

But  why me purple?Its not really my colour you see!Miss White looking at my gloomy face says,"Girlie you atleast have a colour and believe me its not that bad,you look gorgeous!" .

Ya Maybe!

The sky looks great today, silver and clear,here and there a few clouds and the sun isn't around much.The driver of a car is honking at the old man who is trying to gather his coloured chickens falling out of his basket,they are cute but hey aren they supposed to be baby white,they look better that way,John says they cost two coins a pair,he had got them home once,only to see them dead in two days!Please don't buy them,if you wanna buy some colours buy me!

A little boy in the car hears me!He lowers the glasspane and looks out.His mother asks him "What colour Peter?" he says "Mama!I want Pupple!" and there i go,John unties me from the stick which holds all us friends together.I am gonna miss them all, especially Miss White who is waving me good bye,she is happy for me.I found an owner,a home and John is a happy man today,I got him a coin.

We reach,Peter gets down from the car he runs to the garden,his fingers holding my string,he hugs me tight!
His mother asks him to be careful,she says "Too much of love is gonna burst it Peter,its not gonna last long,don't keep it idle either,its just gonna lose air!You know there is a more exciting stuff to do with it,can you see the sky?"Peter says "Yes Mama".
His mother says "Do you know Pupple can fly?Just let go and see" , well Peter replies"I want it Mama thats why we bought it!"

His mother tells Peter "There is a joy in letting go things,you watch it fly and your heart is gonna feel light and you are gonna enjoy seeing the flight!"


Peter smiles,he slowly releases me from his fingers,nothing holds me now,as the wind lifts me up I trip my gait a bit here and there,this is my first time!I fly amidst the branches of the tree,I go over the terrace.Peter waves at me,I can see his bunny teeth!

It feels good...am up in the sky!
I know not my destiny,but am liking this flight!
Thank you Peter,the new breeze in my life!!!
Am Pupple...so what:)          

 

Raksha Bhat

MISS SPRIGHTLY'S FRIENDS

Early morning the mist, snow white and the sun is just up from the bed of clouds,time again to begin a new day. Our dear Miss Sprightly hiding under the soft quilt rubs her eyes when the first rays of the sun fall on her through the small creek of the curtained windows.
Miss Byrdie is waiting for her on the mango tree in the lawn and is singing mesmerizing notes. Ah !well !well! She has news for her best friend, she has something to show her! Hearing her hubbub voice Sprightly finally wakes up, wearing a peach coloured frilled frock sequenced with purple satin laces and pretty shoes to match, a hat gifted by Grandma and a basket to collect wild flowers and berries she sets off towards the woo ds with the all excited Miss Byrdie. As she walks amidst the crisscrossing fields the dew drops on the soft green grass dance n fall down on the ground, the sun peaks behind the canopy to see the little girl in joy plainness.
Little Bambie, the deer is on the roadside munching grass as always, looks up to wish her while Mr. Jack, the monkey on the trees swinging circles with his tail asks her ”Hey!! Miss Spright where are the bananas you promised?” She says” sure thing tomorrow friend!” He throws some delicious and juicy cranberries into her basket.
From somewhere nearby she can hear Miss Camline, the tigress roaring, one of her naughty cubs fell into the ditch while chasing a butterfly! M iss Sprightly takes the cub out and gives him a nice bath with the sparkling water from the nearby stream after which Mr.Junior runs to his mother for his share of breast milk.”Thank You Miss Spright!”says the tigress.
Finally they cross the stream, walk through the green thicket and reach the grassland where the tall grass reeds are dancing to the tunes of the wind. In the midst of the land is a lone tree looking the greenest with bliss to last for a life time! Miss Sprightly the ace climber she is, gets on to the branch on which Miss Byrdie perches upon and as she separates the green drape of leaves she finds a nest, golden brown with three beautiful lily white eggs. Miss Byrdie whose heart is on cloud nine asks” Aren’t they wonderful Spright?” She says” Your kids are a beauty lady!!!”
The clouds refuse to disagree and drizzle and Miss Sprightly with a new found joy bids good bye to her friends and sets towards home, it is dusk time and everyone is tired. On the way back she meets Mr. Rudey ” Hello Miss Spright! What have you been up to for so long out here, and your wild friends? Doing fine? Seems like my gun frightens them! He he! Ha ha! Tough luck Miss Spright!”
Mr. Rudey is one of those old hunters you see!!Our Sprightly is scared of him and so is the rest of the wild!
Night dawns and she reaches home, back under her rug tired and happy.

And the next morning…
Miss Byrdie never sang…
The dewdrops never danced…
Mr.Jack never asked for a banana…
The grass was never green…
Little Bambi never munched them anymore…
The Clouds never drizzled…
The Eggs never hatched…
Miss Byrdie with squeaky cries is sitting at the window sill…M iss Sprightly wakes up seeing tears in her eyes…the sun is ferociously smiling beyond the bare trees...the land is brown and dry…hot winds blowing aimlessly..Mr. Jack was on the road weeping for Mr. Rudey had cut his tail…and he was carrying Miss Bambi dead and hanging upside down with legs tied to a stick…a ghastly sight…a few distance away dear Miss Camline lay slain..the three little cubs weeping…they had lost their MOTHER…her blood dribbling through skin…flowing like a small rivulet and joining the stream.…tears rolled from Sprightly’s eyes...as they reached the lone tree which had lost all her green,she saw the nest lay shattered on the ground..the eggs destroyed…small lives lost...Mr.Rudey had done it again.
The tree stood bare with shame…the sun burning in fury…the clouds evaporated…the last leaf fell…
Miss Byrdie sang the last song of her life…

Miss Sprightly never smiled…

-Raksha