Sword Turned Feather

               India is a wonderful country where you can learn new things at every nook and corner. Filled with vibrant colors and emotions of all sort, people of all ages can be found on the streets.
               Indians are very friendly. You are sure to find them interesting. Their patriotism is beyond measure. Even the fellow who hates himself loves his country. Their culture is something that they treasure so much. Whether they abide with the rules or not, they follow their customs with the greatest sincerity. You will feel a love-filled atmosphere. You will never get lost in India nor feel unloved. There is nothing called as solitude in India.
                Just walk along the streets and you are sure to get entertained. People of all sorts, fat, thin, smiling, frowning, tall, short, with complexion ranging from yellow to brown to black. Girls brightly dressed with their faces painted yellow and their neatly plaited hairs and bright flowers tucked in their jet black hairs. Grooming long hair is something that is extremely desired. With black eyes contoured with black kohl and their shy filled faces. Sarees of all sorts with matching accessories especially long dangling earrings that sparkle in the bright sunlight. Boys in their half pants, checking out the girls. They are a great treat to your eyes.
               The roads filled with vehicles of all sorts ranging from bullock carts to the latest model cars. The quaint towns with a slight tinge of modern India. The vendors shouting every now and then. The roadside shops where a huge crowd can be seen.
               On that particular day, I went to my friend's place to have brunch with her. That day was a very fine one. A pleasant sunny day in which you see happy faces all around. My friend lived in a small village not far from mine. We planned to have our brunch in a roadside chitchat shop. Chitchat shops are very famous in India for their wonderful Indian dishes and of course, they are not hygienic but they are yummy. All sorts of typical tangy Indian dishes, the very sight of which will make your tongue watery.

              I arrived a little early than we had planned. As I waited for my friend, my eyes started gazing around. A man caught my attention. I recognized him easily. He was a well known rogue in that village named Mr. Fierce. The most feared fellow of that area. But, what caught my attention was that, he was surrounded by a group of naughty kids. Some were wrenching his moustache and some were climbing his back. He was so patient. That wasn’t the same Mr. Fierce whom I knew. The kids were cracking jokes and he laughed heartily. He taught them games and they played together. Just then, an ice cream van passed by, he bought ice cream van passed by and he bought them ice creams. Such a stingy man buying the kids ice-creams that was a big surprise. They were having the time of their lives. That revived my old memories. The bell of the ice cream van that will set every child on the street running after it. The kulfi ice that they sell on the streets. Those different colored ice creams. The petty fights we fight for those ice sticks. Once again, the sound of laughter brought my thoughts back to the Earth. He was completely changed. He wasn’t the same felloe whom I knew before. Even though his appearance was the same, it was his character that was completely changed. I felt as if he resembled a saint, who changed from a sinful past and blossomed into something wonderful. It is not so easy for a man to change completely. It wasn’t a mistaken identity. It was him but transformed. I got absorbed in my thoughts just then my friend arrived; late as usual. The first thing I asked her was about Mr. Fierce.

              She just smiled and told “Oh! He got married”

              Now, I badly wanted to see that girl!

Paper Quilled Earrings...

At last, the Sunday evening was spent useful.

The Old Fruit Seller

           Nothing can be as refreshing as getting up early and watching the sunrise. With the fresh breeze brushing against your face, birds flocking the sky, the sun rays beginning to fill the earth the unmatched happiness that you receive.
            Thoughts began to flood my mind. I thought of my Saviour. His love that crossed the borders. No thought is so wonderful as that of my Saviour. Where would I have been if it wasn't but my Lord. I would be in the streets empty-stomached. But the Lord was too gracious to me. He thought of saving this wretched fool. He blessed me abundantly. Blessed me beyond measure. Lifted up my head and raised me to the position that I wouldn't even dream of.
            With a thankful heart I started my day. Got ready for my daily work. Humming my favourite song, I watered my plants and made breakfast. My day has started. With a beautiful note. Today I went even earlier to the bus stop (well, that is something that doesn't happen very often.). Got into my bus, found a window seat and started watching the road. Everything seemed to be moving backwards. It was like rewinding.
             The green trees that lined both sides of the road. The autumn leaves were seen everywhere. Kids were playing on the roads. Farmers were on the fields sowing. Youngsters were playing cricket on all the empty plots. Girls giggled on their way to the college. All those happy faces maximised my joy.
              A sharp cry from the back seat brought my thoughts back to the bus. A cute little child was crying. Babies are always so amazing. They melt even the stone-hearted. The entire bus was lively. A group of women were gossiping about some celebrity. A gang of boys at the back was making fun of their teachers. A nun sat in front of me saying some prayers with the rosary. An uncle with a big moustache was reading a daily. Another two uncles sat discussing politics. A little girl was playing with a Barbie doll. There was also a marriage crowd. The marriage season in India had just begun. The women were brightly dressed in silk sarees (the traditional dress of India) and their heads covered with flowers. Some boys were standing on the footboard. (They think its cool. Once again that is something that they learned from the movies.) To spend the peak hours in the bus, all these things are very common.
             Apart from all this, music was banging from the bus speakers. Some song from the latest movie released. India has a great craze for movie. The conductor was shouting for tickets.
             There was an old lady sitting at one corner not taking part with the rest of the crowd. Something in her resembled my grandmother. Nobody wished to sit near her. She was all alone by herself. A big basket sat in front of her indicated that she was a fruit seller from the nearby town. She awoke my sympathy. So I got up and sat by her side.
              She looked at me with a smiling face. In a few couple of minutes we were chatting like old pals. She shared with me her story. Here it is in her own words.....
                ''Its really rare to see girls like you who are willing to sit near an old lady like me. Your parents have brought you up well. I am very unfortunate. I'm very afraid that I didn't bring up my children very well. I should have taught them how to care for their parents in their old age
                ''God is always just. He repays everyone according to one's own actions. He is now repaying for what I did in my youth.
                ''I enjoyed my youth without taking care of my parents. Now, I am reaping my own deeds back. I never helped any old person. I lived as if I was never going to age. I enjoyed my childhood so much. In my youth I worked hard and attained a position that was impossible for my parents to even dream of.
               ''I had a life without lack. Had a wonderful husband. He passed away just a few years ago. And my strength is failing me now. My children refuse to take care of me. Even my own grandchildren hate me. I have become a burden to all. I still have to work for every morsel that I eat.
               ''With nobody to hire me now, I took up this fruit basket to earn my living. Nobody should come to my state. My daughter-in-law refuses to feed me. And my son always leans to her side. He never thinks that it was I who educated him.
              ''I feel left out and unwanted. Please bring up your children in the best way. I hope you will do so.''
              I felt sorry for the old lady. I spoke a few words to her about my Saviour. And promised that I will pray her. Just then my bus arrived at the stop and I got down with the thought how blessed it is to have a wonderful family.

The Wait

Day and night I await your arrival
That never seems too near nor ends
With my eyes fixed on the rusty road
My ears tuned to the sound of your steps

It seems like waiting for the train
That is way too delayed and late
With my hopes anchored on the clouds
My doubts raised at the very arrival of yours

Did I wait in vain all these many days?
My hopes are shattered like glass
Into pieces that can't be gathered
But will pierce anything that touches

After reaching the level indicated as
Beyond recovery, irreparable, useless
I was enlightened, eye opened, to move on
And one day you will regret it....