A Rendering of Life

Far-off I could witness the ten year old in his red shorts and a navy blue T-shirt, his winning long strides justly being a reminiscent of an Olympic champ like Milkha Singh. There was delight written on the lad’s countenance as he sprinted in the course of the desired vicinity. He did not gaze at the by passers. He was neither apprehensive regarding the time nor concerned about the people; he was moving through the paths taking giant strides, each tramp assuring him that he was in the vicinity of his aspiration. The pace of his thin long limbs and his synchronized hand movements were sheer elation for every one of us. We had observed the boy a few months ago when he would commence with a scurry and draw close to a halt within a few steps, clasp on to his legs and pant loudly. His father would call him aloud uttering that it was time for him to get geared up for school. I have seen the sports teachers of an array of schools bring an entire lot of students and coach the students for athletics’. However here was a schoolboy who coveted to sprint for the sheer pleasure connected. He responded to his fathers call saying that he desired to run more. He whispered that he wished to dart many more times around the whole area. The determination remained and today looking at him run without a halt was candidly a delight for us.

Outlying on the same path I noticed an eighty year old man in his pearl white pyjamas and kurta, his legs were bow shaped, probably due to the painful knees which barred him from bending it, the distance between his feet was very large to poise him . He clutched a wooden walking stick and walked precariously. His hair swept back revealing bald-headedness associated with old age. He was tall, fair with sunken eyes but with a glued smile to acknowledge everyone around. He was frail, feeble and faintly warped. He was evocative of the pantaloon stage in Shakespeare’s seven ages from “As You like it”. He heaved to complete his objective. A couple of months ago we could spot him enter the walking arena, where he would seek out for a seat to recline. His eyes would meander and linger for the weary walkers to relax so that he could enlighten those of them with anecdotes from his good old days. Folks empathised with him but they believed in taking care of their wellbeing and interests too. Many a times I could see the pasted smile shrivel due to the mockery life offered. When he was young he must have been triumphant and people might have pleased him for their own individual material benefits. He was a representation for the retired senior officials who often move in to depression due to the lack of consideration. Far off I saw the ten year old reach the end point the eternal time, gasp and respite in sheer joy for having ended his run in record time. His face was glowing in delight regardless of the sweat trickling across his forehead. The old man had also reached there, it was his first encompassing and he was pompous of his accomplishment too. He had achieved the unattainable feat of finishing a good walking distance. He sat next to the young boy. Both the boy and the old man were of different epochs and belong to diverse phases in the cycle of life but both reiterate lessons of perseverance, diligence and persistence in life, a quality provoking one never to quit. Any pathway in life comes with hardships but the fervour, zest and enthusiasm linked helps to cherish a positive attitude perhaps a lesson of never relinquishing whether one is youthful or elderly