A few days ago,my neighbour’s father expired. An old man of around 80, he died peacefully in his sleep. As neighbours we tried to extend a helping hand. Some of their relatives were at our place for the night.The old man’s daughter was to come from Bangalore and they had decided to wait.
Finally in the morning at around 10 the daughter arrived. She was accompanied by her husband and their 2 sons, aged around 5 and 8. With many people visiting, the house was in a chaotic situation.
The 2 kids, oblivious of the situation seemed excited. To keep the children away, it was decided that they would be with us. I voluntarily opted to look after them….after all…in times of distress…when we adults act like children, the children suddenly seem mature….
So while all others were busy looking after the family…I looked after the kids….rather they looked after me….
I took them upstairs to the terrace where the 3 of us settled down…The elder one a little aware of the whole situation was a bit sober and sat at one place.The younger one wanted to run down time and again…
So we decided to play…”akkad bakkad bambe bo….”
—–Akkad bakkad bambe bo…assi nabbe poore sow…sow me laga dhaga…chor nikal ke bhaaga——–
“U know what my mom was crying the entire time…”the elder one said…
I ignored and continued to chant…
—–Akkad bakkad bambe bo…assi nabbe poore sow…sow me laga dhaga…chor nikal ke bhaaga——-
“Dad said that my grandfather has become a star”….the younger one now interrupted…
I had nothing to say and was afraid he would want to go home….
“but now it is day na……so mom cant see the star and so she is crying…” the elder one explained….
Wow! What an explanation to the most difficult question called death….
“then …does she not know that after dinner it will be night and then she can see grandfather???” the younger one piped in again….
And I wondered…..So true isn’t it?????
In times of trouble we so often forget that this time too shall pass….that memories of the loved ones will continue to haunt us…but then there will be another day..another person …..and something else to live for…..
That after every dark night, a day will come to brighten our lives once again….and at the same time a night too will periodically come…to test you, to strengthen you…
This is the lesson those 2 small kids taught me that day….
A few lines I read somewhere…
Kafan badha toh kis liye aankh dagmaga gayi..
Shringar kyu saham gaya, bahaar kyu laja gayi…
Na janm kuch ,na mrityu kuch, bas itni si baat hai…
Kisi ki aankh khuli..toh kisi ko neend aa gayi….
And now, I am no longer afraid of death…because I know that after dinner, when it is night, I can see the stars………
Abha Deshkar
20th may 2010.
) were travelling from Mahim to Kelve throught the beautiful, narrow, tree covered and tree lined roads of Konkan with tiny villages scattered here and there.We could feel the heat but we were protected from the sun and his artillery barrage of burning sunlight by the presence of trees on the sides of the road.
