And then the first few drops fell...

I am sharing below a story that i wrote during the famous lockdown times in 2020...

We are in the midst of unprecedented times. All of us are at home heeding to the lockdown rules laid by the govt. Social distancing is the need of the hour and is the only way to break the chain and stop the virus from spreading. Most of us are managing the lockdown well, but I am sure, there are few of us who would appreciate a little help in this new situation.

The other day, I was speaking to my friend’s grandfather, he nodded his head sadly and said even an ancient man like him hadn’t encountered anything of this nature in his generation.

Every cloud has a silver lining meaning however hard a situation is, there is always hope, learnings and hidden opportunities to help us rise above the occasion. To borrow another saying, “Tough situations don’t last, tough people do.”

Today, I am going to share with you a short story, which will help you understand how clinging on to hope and optimism can help us tide over these times.  I am sure you would have heard it elsewhere as it is oft quoted but for the sake of readers who haven’t, allow me to narrate it here.

Once upon a time, in a far-flung village of Bengal, there was no monsoon in a particular year. The earth became parched and dry, there were no food grains, no water and life became very difficult for the villagers.

The village elders got together one day at the chaupal (community block.) They looked at each other for advice. Now, in the village, there lived a mad man. But he was very wise, and the villagers respected him for his intelligence. They never bothered him, giving him food, water and little space to live. Fearing the worst, and left with no other option, the elders now turned to him for his advice. The mad man took the sarpanch aside and whispered something in his ear. The villagers could then see him disappear into a nearby grove.

The sarpanch returned and asked each villager to gather the next day at the village school sharp at 10:00 AM. But there will be one condition he said, and strictly asked the villagers to abide by it. They had to come next day with any article they considered auspicious. It could be a deity, a family photograph, or a prized heirloom - any object they considered a talisman. Then, the entire village would pray together and beseech the gods to give them rain. This was the last option, he sarpanch said.

The next day, as instructed, each villager with their family in tow, started pouring into the school ground.  In each hand there was an article they considered pure. Slowly the entire village had congregated. The sarpanch nodded to the village priest to start the proceedings. Amidst the recitals of mantras, a huge fire was lighted. A havan and puja was to begin.

The loud recital of the mantras rants the air. The heady mix of incense and other stuff being offered into the havan fire started smoking up. Kids started wailing as their eyes started hurting.

And, then it happened. Nobody could believe when the first few drops fell. They looked up; the gods seemed to have heard at last. A shout of joy rang though. When it started pouring everyone started dancing. Each villager - men, women and children raised the talisman they were carrying above their heads and went crazy. The magic seemed to have worked!

Now, in the midst of all this, there stood a man with his son perched on his shoulder. When everyone was asked to bring an article of faith, something that they thought will help them in praying for rains, the little boy brought an umbrella, for he didn’t hope it would rain, he knew it would! And, it did!

Let us all be like the little boy, carrying our umbrellas around. Let us believe in the good times. Let us believe that ‘this too shall pass.” Let us all utilize this time in gratitude, counting our blessings, spending time with our families, keeping our mind and body alert. Let us catch up on our reading, speaking to forgotten contacts, cooking up a delicacy, looking after our grandparents, writing poetry, fighting with our siblings…I mean there is so much to be done, so less time.

Remember you are a reservoir of positive energy; all you have to do is dig into it and spread it around for others!

Hope you liked today’s story, do write in with your comments or feedback.

Looking forward to your thoughts and suggestions.