Never say die!

I used to walk down this road to reach my office. It was laden with traffic most of the times with restless cars and buses honking and waiting for the signal. On one side of the road, business was brisk with vegetable and newspaper vendors selling their wares. Enjoying the hustle bustle, I walked in the cool shade of the gigantic trees and reached office better prepared to face the vagaries of work life. After all the more we praise life, the more reasons have have to celebrate the fact that we are alive in this moment.

On one side of the road, there was this guava vendor who sat under a huge tree, of whom my friend and I were great patrons. He would boast that even if one of the guavas in his basket didn't turn out to be sweet, he would give away all of them for free. And magically he never had had to do that! 

There was another garland vendor, a skinny lady with soiled and matted hair, and the object of my pity. With every passing year, her brood went on increasing but her means remained more or less the same. She had been selling flower garlands for two rupees each since years. Ironically, the buyers' incomes had risen manifold. Every morning she used to feed her children half a bun each and raw milk straight out of the packet. There were about five of them in all shapes and sizes. Still a reason to celebrate! 

One day I was treading as usual on my way to work, when I was in for a rude shock. The municipal authority had cut one of the beautiful giant trees for widening the road. The vendors sitting under its shade disappeared. Even the scores of birds that used to chirp from its dense foliage vanished. There was no sign of life. After all the ruthless murder was committed for making human lives more comfortable. Till date I haven't been able to figure whether our lives have actually improved after that. 

All that was remaining of the tree was a small stub standing a few inches above the ground. With a heart filled with sorrow, I knelt and caressed its surface. It was just one of the  countless, unnoticed victims of man's goliath pride, which screams aloud that he is all-powerful and that he could do anything to mute beings. All that I knew was my dear friend was dead. It took a few days for that feeling to sink. 

Days and months passed by. The seasons changed. The cuckoo heralded the arrival of monsoon, with her sweet song. Within days, the rain gods arrived and the earth rejoiced. As usual, I was pacing on the way to office, when my eyes went out to my friend who was killed long ago. And what did I see! Small green shoots had emerged from sides of the virtually non-existent stub. The sight have me goosebumps. My friend had resurrected! I was touched by the whole planning of the Creator. 

A deep sense of euphoria engulfed me. I shut my umbrella and looking towards the sky, I felt the magic of the generous cool drizzle all over me. 

After all life is all about celebrating its magnanimity and little but sweet surprises!