SHADE VERSUS SHADOW
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He was 84 and was entering the old-age home….
That was his first day at that new abode ….and, at his own insistence….”I just want to experience it for a couple of months”. He had argued with his son.
The daughter in law was, anyway, indifferent and the granddaughter was visibly sad to part with her “ajoba” for that long a period.
He was 84 plus two months and was leaving the old-age home….his term having expired.
His return to his own house was taken just as what they took when he used to return from his evening walk.
The granddaughter was visibly happy to get back her “ajoba” after what appeared to her as “ages”
Two weeks passed.
He never eavesdropped, so had no reason to contemplate on spied remarks.
But the granddaughter spilled the beans that evening.
“Ajoba, Aai and Baba had a bad argument today…Aai insisted that you return to the old-age home. She was even weeping.
I hate Aai… I love you. You will not go…will you…?”
He just smiled and advised her not to hear such talk uninvited…
Next morning he chose to go for his walk instead of the usual evening walk. He reached his favourite garden.
Sun had started spreading scorching heat…There was a bench in the garden, over which was a shade…”That appears comfortable” he murmured.
As he sat contemplating, he realized that there was no breeze at all…no sign of life around…no birds, no squirrels, no lizards, no whirling and swaying parrots in the sky…
All that was his usual sight.
How could all that be at this hour of the day…??
He realized and started walking towards the huge neem tree whose shadow was almost inviting him.
That was August…the period of hide and seek of heavy clouds and scorching Sun.
Presently, the sky was overcast…Would it rain? May be. Maybe not…yet he approached the underneath of the neem.
The breeze suddenly appeared from nowhere…A few heavy drops started falling…filtered by the spread of the neem.
Two squirrels ran after one another. A flock of cranes appeared in the overcast sky…There was the birds’ sweet mutual talk…
He wondered how in a matter of minutes the environment has changed…and wondered if that change was because he chose to leave the shade and take the shadow for shelter….
Shade versus Shadow…..
Here he chose whichever suited him…
He thought....
"I once chose to try the Shade for two months…then walked back to the Shadow….Alas, the Shadow had changed for the worst permanently…"
He coolly walked back to the bench under the shade…
Which bench? .....Which shade…?
.............................................................................................................
My friends…You decide…
(This is my original story, just written.)
Madhusudan Thatte..
24-06-2014
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He was 84 and was entering the old-age home….
That was his first day at that new abode ….and, at his own insistence….”I just want to experience it for a couple of months”. He had argued with his son.
The daughter in law was, anyway, indifferent and the granddaughter was visibly sad to part with her “ajoba” for that long a period.
He was 84 plus two months and was leaving the old-age home….his term having expired.
His return to his own house was taken just as what they took when he used to return from his evening walk.
The granddaughter was visibly happy to get back her “ajoba” after what appeared to her as “ages”
Two weeks passed.
He never eavesdropped, so had no reason to contemplate on spied remarks.
But the granddaughter spilled the beans that evening.
“Ajoba, Aai and Baba had a bad argument today…Aai insisted that you return to the old-age home. She was even weeping.
I hate Aai… I love you. You will not go…will you…?”
He just smiled and advised her not to hear such talk uninvited…
Next morning he chose to go for his walk instead of the usual evening walk. He reached his favourite garden.
Sun had started spreading scorching heat…There was a bench in the garden, over which was a shade…”That appears comfortable” he murmured.
As he sat contemplating, he realized that there was no breeze at all…no sign of life around…no birds, no squirrels, no lizards, no whirling and swaying parrots in the sky…
All that was his usual sight.
How could all that be at this hour of the day…??
He realized and started walking towards the huge neem tree whose shadow was almost inviting him.
That was August…the period of hide and seek of heavy clouds and scorching Sun.
Presently, the sky was overcast…Would it rain? May be. Maybe not…yet he approached the underneath of the neem.
The breeze suddenly appeared from nowhere…A few heavy drops started falling…filtered by the spread of the neem.
Two squirrels ran after one another. A flock of cranes appeared in the overcast sky…There was the birds’ sweet mutual talk…
He wondered how in a matter of minutes the environment has changed…and wondered if that change was because he chose to leave the shade and take the shadow for shelter….
Shade versus Shadow…..
Here he chose whichever suited him…
He thought....
"I once chose to try the Shade for two months…then walked back to the Shadow….Alas, the Shadow had changed for the worst permanently…"
He coolly walked back to the bench under the shade…
Which bench? .....Which shade…?
.............................................................................................................
My friends…You decide…
(This is my original story, just written.)
Madhusudan Thatte..
24-06-2014
