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.
10 comments
Great one Abha!! Proud to have you on board! Thanks for the invaluable lesson!!
So simply written, yet so striking! Another feather in your cap 🙂
i guess we keep learning the things/lessons (that we may know but) in different ways and through different medium
keep writing…take care…GBU
that was a very enlightening experience that you had
even if the circumstances were solemn
there is a lot to learn from it
life is so easy for us as children. they make simple observations and believe in simple stories, but just look how it affects us as we age . . .
i guess time robs us of something that is perfect or maybe it gives us more than we can carry.
@Amar
Thanks a lot for the comment. I agree with you so much on this. As time passes and makes us ‘wiser’ with age we forget the simple truths of life and start complicating things a lot! A simple solution that may be found by a child – and which might be actually feasible – is rejected by grown ups and they go on complicating matters! Sometimes I wonder who is more mature, a child or an adult! 🙂
Nicely written !!
rational mind is improving day by day.. best of lux
thanks mangya!
Thanks pranjal, amar, rashank and mangesh….
@ amar…so true ya…as kids life was so simple…and there were answers for everything…now so many questions loom ahead…with answers we no longer believe in…
So very true @ Pranjal and Abha.
This incident is actually one to cherish and share with as many people as possible and I am glad that i got to know about it.
Good work Abha.
The TRUTH of life ( death)was never so well put in words.
I had always believed to look at life from a child’s eye .
It is a lot different.
Kepp it up Abha..
simple experiences ,big lessons….:)
laich bhari!!!
🙂 😀