Sunday, 23 December 2018

Is this life?

Paul woke up disgruntled, plonked in the middle of a cart with few necessities thrown in moving across a railroad at nominal speed. He looked around for familiar faces but but no one was in sight. The day had just commenced. The sky was in hues of black and some shimmer of orange streaming through. The cart was moving through a meadow and there was greenery all around with huge trees blossomed with buds of flowers and fruits. Animals were busy grazing the grass or standing by the lake splashing water on themselves. The sight was so beautiful and welcoming. As he passed by, all looked at him with love and waved him off.


Source: https://animals.desktopnexus.com/wallpaper/325119/

Hours later, the cart appeared to pass through rich forests. Here, the trees appeared huge and bulky cutting the sunlight. He heard sounds of animals and expected the same welcome and peered out. Close to him, he saw a herd of deer looking at him with terrified eyes, running frantically to save themselves from a tiger that was close upon them. The tiger then glanced upon him and fear so deep struck his spine. He felt powerless and scrambled for something in the cart to protect himself from the assault. He came across a dagger and with shaking hands rose to face the ferocious tiger. Suddenly, the cart jerked and moved at very fast pace and in a few minutes he was on a low bridge overlooking the sea.

Source: https://www.mangalorean.com/mysuru-photojournalist-s-r-madhusudan-captures-first-slot-in-contest-held-by-zoo/

He saw ships and boats with people greeting him and wishing him a happy journey. The cart was now moving very slowly and he had ample time to connect with everyone at peace. The sea initially very calm, within a few hours showed a promise of a storm. The tides had increased and the waves were lashing fiercely at the boats. The weather had become very cold suddenly. He started shivering. The whole day events had taken a toll on his body and he was now feeling exhausted. As the turbulence in the sea rose, his cart started shaking violently, the balance was lacking and he felt tossed from one end to the other. Within a few seconds, the cart once gained huge momentum and he felt exported to an altogether new place.

This new place seemed very uncertain. There was sun and the darkness coexisting together. All types of animals whether sea, land or air animals appeared to be living in harmony in rich, luxurious foliage. Everything seemed to be at a standstill and still there was movement. "Where am I?" thought Paul. He pinched himself hard to come out of this surreal place but felt no feeling.  Immediately reality dawned and he gladly accepted his fate.