Rahul Writes

There was a giant tree in that part of forest. But on that big tree only two birds lived – one big and the other small. The big bird tried to talk to the smaller one but it didn’t feel friendly. Perhaps the small bird was scared of the big bird. The big bird felt lonely. But in that part of the forest it didn’t find any other company to keep. Every morning, it woke up and saw the small bird get up and go chirping around. Every evening, the big bird waited for the small bird to come back. The two didn’t talk. The small bird looked happy with life – perhaps it talked to the butterflies and squirrels and hence didn’t feel loneliness. Perhaps it was too young to ponder over life and lived in the moment, and hence the happiness. Whatever be the reason, the small bird became a kind of habit in the life of old bird. Time started flowing little peacefully…   

One day, the small bird returned back home tired and sad. The big bird noticed it but didn’t dare to say anything. Next morning, the small bird woke up sad and worried. The same pattern went on for a few days and the big bird couldn’t control itself from interfering. It went to the small bird and asked what the matter was. The small bird told it that it wanted to fly high and long distances but didn’t have the strength and stamina. It felt life was too small and helpless. Big bird boasted its morale and promised to train it to fly high and long distances…  

Training took a few weeks. Now the big bird got a purpose of life which made it look forward to the next day in excitement. Life seemed to have gotten back on track, until one day the small bird announced in its sweetest voice, “I am going away from this place to a far away land where my friend squirrel lives!!!” The big bird tried hard to persuade it not to go to an unsafe new place, but small bird won’t relent.   

Had the big bird not taught art of flying to the small bird, it would have no option but to stay back to its old place. Now the big bird felt sad and it often cried – now it was all alone. But the big bird was not sorry about teaching the art of flying to the small bird. It thought, “Had I not taught it how to fly higher, it would have lived an unhappy life. And because of its unhappiness, I would also have become unhappy. Presently at least the small bird is happy.”   

“It doesn’t matter if I am not…”

There was a blue bird and there was a green bird. Both lived on different trees. They didn’t know about each other. They ate in different fields and floated in different directions. When they grew up, their parents got them married with each other. Blue bird was very happy to find a companion. Green bird, who was a female, liked the blue bird too. They built a small nest separate on a different tree. After some time, green bird gave birth to three small baby birds. Two of them were green and one of them was blue. They were all so happy.  

One day there was a big storm. The birds got into their nests and prayed for the storm to pass without any harm. But it became harsher and harsher. Suddenly, the branch of the tree on which they had their nest broke down. After that, when the blue bird opened his eyes, he saw everything ruined. Trees were uprooted and everything was scattered out of place. He searched for the green bird and their children. She was not in sight. He kept on flying and searching. Suddenly, he found something. Above another Peepal tree which was not uprooted, his green bird had taken shelter in a broken nest of some other bird. Babies were fine too! Green bird also became so happy seeing blue bird safe.  

In the days to come, something changed in their relationship. Blue bird got the feeling that the green bird didn’t love him enough. After all, when the storm had come, she had taken shelter in the Peepal tree along with their babies, but had not worried to find him out! He had to find and reach her. What if he was in danger? Would she care to worry about him? This thinking kept consuming his inside and he became more and more introvert. The green bird was too busy taking care of her babies. She couldn’t note what was in his mind. But she did notice that something was building up.  

Now the blue bird started coming home without bringing much of food. When green bird asked, he said that she could also go and bring something for children herself - bringing food was not entirely his responsibility. Green bird was pained hearing this. Gradually, both became distanced…  

Now the children had grown up a bit and started going away to play. One evening, again the blue bird returned home and just went to his bed. He didn’t talk to the green bird at all. Green bird realized that something was serious. She went to the blue bird, touched his feathers and pecked at his cheeks. She also started massaging his legs. She saw that he had gone weak. Tears came to her eyes…  

Blue bird was not touched seeing the tears though. “Sorry”, said the green bird. Blue bird asked, “Why sorry”? Green bird said, “I see that I have not been taking proper care of you recently. You have become so thin.” Now blue bird couldn’t hold himself and told her that he thought she no longer loved him. She tried to explain that she had been busy with kids, which was the truth, but he didn’t listen. Then he mentioned about the incident on the day storm had come.  

Green bird then realized where it all started. She said, “Do you know why I went after the babies and not after you?” 

“It was because those were ‘your’ babies.” 

Blue bird was speechless.  

“Do you think I don’t love you? I love you so much that I can sacrifice my relationship for the sake of your children - after all they are symbols of ‘our’ love. If they live, our love would be immortal.” 

She went on, “I knew that day that you would survive. I was sure that you will find me and our children. There wasn’t a slightest doubt. This is the strength of my love towards you…” 

The blue bird was awestruck. He didn’t know what to say. His heart was beating so fast. And a pain was building up inside him, for the mistake he had made.  

“I am sorry.” No matter how dumb guys are, they still can say a “sorry”.  

And make everything alright again…  

- Rahul

Kabutars (pigeons) normally live near humans. Some times they don’t make nests but lay eggs somewhere in the houses of humans too. Once upon a time, the Kabutars (pigeons) started living so close to humans that they started thinking themselves as their counterparts. Many of them started thinking that there was no difference between humans and pigeons and that is why both lived so well together.  

Changu and Mangu were two kabutars who thought of them as smartest. They lived nearby a Hindu temple and ate the free corns thrown to them by the devotees. Both had become very lazy and didn’t need to work at all. They noticed that some humans only used to sit idle in temples or at their home and other people used to take care of them. These humans didn’t even shave or cut their hair, only said “Ram Ram” most of the time, and for the remaining time they only kept sleeping. It seemed to them that they had mastered the art of sleeping while sitting on ground. This scheme sounded nice and hence Changu and Mangu too decided to become Saints.   

Next morning, they announced to the rest of the pigeons that since they had lived long enough near the temple, they had decided to become Saints. So now on, rest of the community had to take care of them while they would make prayers and do meditations. Other Kabutars couldn’t understand much, but decided to obey them as they were replicating human system and it was a matter of pride for them. This way, life of Kabutars changed in a way from that day onwards… 

Changu and Mangu had become saints and lived a wonderful life. They kept sleeping while sitting on their legs and ate the wonderful fruits and other items brought to them by other devotee pigeons. After that about a year passed. In this time, hundreds of other pigeons too decided to become saints. The matter now reached the court of the King Kabutar.  

King Kabutar visited the places himself and understood everything. He called for a big public meeting and also invited Changu-Mangu Saints and other saint-wannabees. In front of all, he asked Changu-Mangu to show some things they had learnt after becoming Saints. Both were speechless. King then asked them to explain how they becoming Saints was helping any other mankind (pigeon-kind). They couldn’t answer. King then pointed towards the trend where the young pigeons wanted to live the lazy and dependent lives of Saint Changu-Mangus while neither Changu-Mangu nor any other pigeon had gained anything out of the Sainthood. He then explained that copying the systems from other living species, without understanding their actual meanings, was wrong. He gave a verdict that from that day, no one would claim or attempt to become Saints or hold any other lazy and dependent position. Birds took pride in their industry and the way they lived their independent lives; it was a shame that they would change their ways for the worse.  

Each species is special. No one copies any other. Buffalos didn’t learn to eat flesh from lions; lions didn’t learn to eat grass from the cows. Each species has to respect its systems and way of life, for the betterment of world and for the balance in nature.   

- Rahul

There was a lion that lived in the forest. He was the king of the wild. In his good days he would chase and kill any animal he liked to; some times for food and some times just for fun. Therefore, all other animals were always terrorized of him.  

It so happened that this lion too grew old. He lost his teeth and his nails and grips of hands became too weak. Now he couldn’t attack and kill any other animal. He could sometimes kill weak and soft animals like rabbits. But after some years, even these rabbits got to be too much for him.  

Now the poor lion just rested in front of his cave. Most of other animals saw his situation and took pity on him.  

Due to destiny or due to plight of similar vulnerability, a family of deer became friends with him. They fed him with some meat whenever they found discarded by other animals as excess. Soon after, many families of birds and rabbits came and started living near that tree in front of his cave. Just because of the presence of a lion, many other meat-eating attacking animals, birds and snakes didn’t venture to come in that area. So the lion started living his life in peace with the animals on whom he feasted before…  

Many baby birds were born who grew up seeing the lion below their tree. Many baby rabbits grew up playing with the hair and body of the harmless lion. Many baby deer had their first jump and first run in front of the lion. The lion was happier than ever before. He saw the same wild life in completely different light now. In his younger days, he saw rabbits as pieces of flesh to be enjoyed in a fraction of second. Now he just loved the white foam like long-eared rabbits running here and there. Earlier, he saw birds as nuisance; now he loved to see them coloring the sky and singing such nice songs. All these experiences were wonderful and divine for him…  

One day, another lion from another forest went past his cave. He remembered him and hence came to see him. Seeing his pitiful situation, he expressed his sorrow at his age and stage. But our lion was never resentful! He hastily said good-bye to his lion friend, so that other animals in his neighborhood won’t get scared of him. Before parting ways, the old lion told his friend a secret: there is nothing in this world like peace… 

There is nothing in this world like peace…  

- Rahul

There was a small pup that lived in the neighborhood park. In those days he was very new in the locality because their family had recently shifted there after living near the fish-market for two years.  

The park was a unique one because it extended over a hill. People, after walking on the jogger’s lane used to climb up the hill. The top of the hill gave a bird’s eye view of the whole area.   

The dog’s family so far used to go to sleep around 12 in the midnight. Many nights they had to fight with a rival gang over silly matters and after getting too tired the gangs would disperse to sleep and get ready for the next morning (and next fights). They had the practice of getting up around 10 O’ clock in the morning. By the time they would get up, children would have already gone to school, busy people would have passed the pavements and the dogs could start their lazy morning by feasting on the morning dump of garbage bins. Little known to other creatures, each dog has his favorite garbage-dish. That cute little pup loved the remnants of bread and butter. He had also come to know by then that his favorite dish came from the small chubby girl in the apartment next to the park who went to school in her father’s green small car. One morning, there was a pleasant surprise for him. 

On that morning, as the dog’s family slept under a bench in the park, the very small chubby girl came to sit there. She spotted the small dog and went near him. His skin was spotted black and white. His ears were totally black; his face was white; but nose was again black. His eyes were soft, and he waged his tiny tail when he saw anyone passing nearby. She wished she had anything to feed him. She told her parents that she wanted to play with that little dog. Papa agreed. She tried to talk to him. She played with his long ears. Very soon they became friends. 

From the next morning onwards, the small little dog started waking up at 6 AM – the time when the girl’s family came for their walk. The girl would find him waiting near the park’s main entrance. He would follow them for the whole time they remained there. The girl had grown very fond of him and she invented many ball games for him to play with. Soon her summer vacations started and she started coming there in the evenings too. In those evenings, all other kids played amongst themselves, while the little girl played only with the pup.  

One day, the pup’s mom observed that he had become very weak. She started feeding him with some meat and bones whenever she got to find, but the situation didn’t improve. Mom dog becoming worried for him. On the other hand, the little girl’s mother observed that the girl was not mixing up with other kids and she didn’t enjoy any friends at all. She tried introducing her with other kids, but she always escaped and rushed to the park. Mother tried to find out the reason for her behavior and the remedy. 

Very soon, the mom dog found out the reason for her pup’s bad health. The pup was working out too hard and for too long in games with the little girl. While he went to sleep with family in the midnight, he would get up too early in the morning. He would keep running here and there playing with the ball for hours. And often, he also missed his favorite garbage-dish. The remedy was for him to take more rest and to spend more time with family rather than the girl. The girl’s mother too found out the reason for her aloofness. The girl was spending all her time with the pup and gradually her interest in and interactions with other kids had become a zero. When she realized that, she talked to her husband and they decided to take morning walks on a different lane. 

From next morning, the little girl and her family stopped coming to the park. The pup waited for her for days. And for weeks. She never came to the park again. Now, the pup used to fell asleep while waiting for him and his evening games too stopped after sometime. With more rest and proper food, his health improved. But he missed his little friend too much.  

One month passed this way. But the little dog didn’t lose his hope of the girl coming back again. He kept sitting idle, in his sadness. His health started deteriorating again. And hence his mother became anxious again. On the other hand, the little girl too always missed her friend. She stopped getting up early and stopped going for the morning walks too. She already was chubby, now she started gaining weight. Her mother became anxious too. 

At that point of time, the little girl’s grand mother visited her place. She observed that something was missing somewhere. But she didn’t get to understand the background. She had the habit of talking to the little girl and her mother every night before they went to bed. She used to share some stories which had some good lessons. One nigh/t, she told them a story. The story had a lesson in the end, which was as she announced: “Excess of anything is bad.”  

That night, the girl’s mother was thinking about her daughter’s case. After hearing that moral of the story, suddenly something struck her. She realized something and took a resolve. She realized that their decision to totally stop the little girl from playing with the pup all of a sudden had resulted in her aloofness. 

Next morning was the happiest one in the lives of two persons. One was the little chubby girl and the other was the small pup. That morning, the pup was sleeping as usual when he saw the small girl walking up to him! He jumped in joy and kept barking and licking the girl’s leg! Mom dog too didn’t stop the pup now. The little girl too was so happy. She danced and ran while the pup followed her. 

From that day onwards, the little girl would visit her pup only every Sunday. They would play for many hours. This moderated amount of time spent together resulted in a balanced lifestyle for both of them. Everyone was happy in this arrangement and it harmed no one. That is life: excess of anything is bad. Excess of even good things is bad. Therefore all of us should take care. 

- Rahul

(Stories V2)

Kittu Ne Sunayi Kahani

“Ye galat baat hai!”

“Kya galat hai? Woh mera kuchh nahi bigad sakta!”

“Aise nahi chalta. Hame aisa nahi karna chahiye.” Kittu ne pareshan ho kar kaha. “Tumne woh kahani nahi suni kya? Papa ne mujhe sunayi thi”

Kahani ki baat sunte hi sare bachche Kittu ke paas ikatthe ho gaye.

“Tumhe aisa lagta hai na ki tumse chote aur kamjor bachchon ki tumhe koi jarurat nahi aur is lie tum unhe pareshan kar sakte ho? To mai tumhe ek kutte aur chidiyon ki kahani sunati hun. Papa ne mujhe ye kahani sunayi thi”.

Kutton ko apni jagah bahut pyari hoti hai. Woh jis jagah rahte hain, uske lie bahut touchy ho jate hain. Doosre kutton ko us jagah ke paas nahi ane dete aur bhonk bhonk kar unhe bhaga dete hain. Tommy bhi ek aisa hi kutta tha.

Woh us toffees ki dukan ke paas wale corner par rahta tha. Bahut se bachche toffee kharidne wahan ate the. Ek ice cream wala har sham wahin par ata. To in sab karano se woh jagah bahut achchi thi aur baki sab kutte bhi wahan ana chahte the. Par tommy unhe bhaga deta. Kabhi kabhi jab uska birthday hota ya koi holi diwali hoti to woh baki kutton ko wahan ane deta aur sab ko party deta - khub sare toffees aur chocolates aur ice cream ke dabbe - chaatne ke lie :)

“Woh dekhne me kaisa tha?” Rajiv ne interrupt kar diya.

“Ok, woh chhota sa tha brown sa, aur uske shareer par baal nahi the. Par uske kaan bahut bade bade the, latakte hue. Aur uska naak kala tha.”

“Bahut se Kutton ke naak hamesha kale kyon hote hain?” Ye Rashmi thi!

Kittu ke papa ne use sikhaya tha ki questions ane par pareshan nahi hona. Kittu ne soch kar kaha:

“Hamare sar ke baal kale hote hain na? Chuki kutton ke sar par kale baal nahi hote, to bhagwan ne unka naak hi kala bana diya.” "Kahin par kala rahne se najar nahi lagti”

“Ok, isi lie Babu ki mommy uske mathe par cute sa kala teeka karti hai!”

“Haan.” “Arre, age kahani to suno!”

“ok ok”

Us jagah ke paas bahut se ped the aur wahan bahut si chidiyan rahti thin. Jab Tommy so jata, to woh chidiyan wahan aa kar jameen par se chun chun kar dane aur kide kha letin. Par unhe Tommy ka bada atank tha.

“Woh kyon”

Kyonki Tommy unhe apne corner par se kuchh bhi khane nahi deta tha. Woh bhi Sonu jaisa tha.

Sab bachche hassne lage. Sonu gussa ho gaya, aur bola:

“Mere jaise ka kya matlab?

Actually, Tommy bhi sochta tha ki us se kamjor janwaron se use koi help nahi mil sakti, is lie woh unhe pareshan kar sakta tha.

Jab bhi koi chidiya dane khane wahan ati, Tommy daurta hua ata aur unhe dara kar bhaga deta. Chidiya bahut pareshan ho gayin. Unhe isi karan door ke park me khana lane jana hota.

Kittu ne dekha bachche bade gaur se sun rahe the.

Ek baar bahut dinon se barish ho rahi thi, aur sab kuchh geela geela tha. Ek chidiya ka bachcha bimar tha, aur woh bhi thak gayi thi. Usne dekha Tommy so raha tha. Woh chupke se neeche ayi aur dana ikattha karne lagi. Jaldi se fir apne ghosle me rakh ayi, aur fir wapas aa gayi. Abhi woh wahin thi ki achanak Tommy jag gaya!

“Oh my God!”

Haan, aur woh daudta hua aya aur chidiya ko bhaga diya. Chidiya bahut udaas ho gayi.

Sunday ko usne Tommy ke bare me apne group me sab ko bataya. Group ka leader ek Kabutar tha. Usne kaha ki woh Tommy se baat karega.

Agle subah woh Leader Kabutar (Neta ji :) Tommy ke paas gaya. Usne Tommy ko samjhaya ki sab ko mil-jul rahna chahiye aur use chidiyon ki madad kani chahiye. Akhir thode se dane kha lene se Tommy ka kya bigad jata?

“Haan, mujhe bhi aisa lagta hai.”: Ye Anjali thi - hamesha sochti rahti aur buddhiman batein karti :)

Ok.. Par Tommy ne Leader Kabutar ki baat nahi mani. Usne ghamand se theek wahi kaha jaisa Sonu ne kaha tha: “Tum chidiyan mera kuchh nahi bigad sakti!”

“Fir kya hua?” Teenu ko thori jyada jaldbaji thi.

To fir chidiyon ne Tommy ko akela chhor diya. Ab woh door ke park se khana lane jatin. Tommy bhi khush tha, ab use chidiyon ko dekh kar gussa nahi ata aur woh aram se apne corner ko akele enjoy karta.

Par ek din ek ajeeb si gadi udhar se gujari. Tommy so raha tha, uska pet kharab chal raha tha, to woh kamjor ho gaya tha. Chidiyon ne dekha us gadi ko - blue color ki gadi thi jisme net lage the sheeshe ki jagah.

“Woh kaisi gadi thi? : Teenu

Woh kutte pakadne wali gadi thi. Shahar me dogs bahut jyada ho gaye the aur kuchh logon ne sarkar se uski shikayat ki thi. To police ayi thi us gadi ko le kar. Woh kutton ke paas jate, unke gale me ek janjeer bandh dete chupke se, aur fir unhe bore me band karke gadi me bhar lete. Pata nahi baad me unke saath kya karte, kahan le jate…

“Tumne papa se nahi poochha?”

Haan, bhool gayi. Shayad unhe pakad kar jail me band kar dete honge jahan chor daku band rahte hain. Shayad unki pitai bhi karte honge…

“Bahut bura hai ye! Mere Rocky ko bhi woh pakadenge kya? Aur mere papa bhi to police me hain, par unhe to kutton se pyar hai, woh aisa nahi kar sakte!”: Ye Balram tha - bahut gussail aur aisi hi stupid batein karta :)

Arre, sare police wale kutton ke police nahi hote - malum hai na, sare doctors janwaron ke doctor nahi hote. Aur woh sirf gali ke kutton ko pakadte hain, jinka ghar nahi hota. Tumhare Rocky ko woh nahi pakadenge.

“Thank you Bhagwan ji…”: Balram

Ok, to Tommy to so raha tha. Use kuchh pata nahi chala. Par chidiyon ko pata chal gaya. Unhone socha ki kya karna chahiye. Agar woh police wale Tommy ko pakad kar le jate to fir unhe woh corner khali mil jata aur life asan ho jati. Par fir unhone socha ki Tommy ko woh log jail me band kar denge, pata nahi use khana den ya nahi aur use wahan kitni pareshani ho…

“Aise Tommy itna bura nahi hai. Usne kabhi hamare ghoslon ya bachchon par attack nahi kiya na?” Chhoti maina boli.

Fir chidiyon ne decide kiya ki woh Tommy ki help karengi. Woh Tommy ke paas gayin par wahan ka scene dekh kar woh dar gayin!

“Kyon? Kya woh pakada ja chuka tha? : Sonu.

Nahi, woh use pakadne hi wale the aur Tommy abhi bhi so raha tha! Fir sari chidiyan ek saath chillane lagin!

Turat Tommy ki nind khuli aur woh chidiyon ko bhagane ke lie dauda! Use aisi hi adat ho gayi thi.

Pas usne dekha ki wahan to chidiyan nahi thin. Sab upar asman me thin. Woh wapas muda, tabhi kutte pakadne wale policemen ne use pakadne ki koshish ki.. Woh bhagne laga aur police ne uska gaadi se peechha kiya. Woh bhagta raha, bhagta raha. Polce wale use chhorne nahi wale the. Par ant me woh bachme ne safal ho gaya!!! Aur Police ki gadi wapas chali gayi!!!

“Achcha hua!”: Sab khush ho gaye.

Par ab Tommy samajh gaya ki unhi chidiyon ne uski jaan bachayi hai jinhe woh bahut pareshan karta tha. Usne chidiyon se mafi mangi, sorry kaha, aur us din ke baad se kabhi pareshan na karne ka wada kiya!

Kabutar ne use samjhaya ki sab ko mil-jul kar rahni chahiye, aur use apne se kamjor jeewon ki help karni chahiye na ki unhe pareshan karna. Tommy apni galti samajh chuka tha… Fir us din ke baad Tommy aur sare chidiyan khushi se rahne lage. Ab aksar chidiyan Tommy ke paas atin aur woh saath me chhua-chhuant aur bahut se khel khelte.

“Ab Sonu, tum hi batao. Abhi bhi tum Raju ko preshan karoge? Sirf is lie ki woh tumse chhota hai aur tum us se jyada takatwar ho?”

“Ok, maine kab pareshan kiya Raju ko? Woh to aise hi khel khel me thoda tease kiya tha…”: Ye Sonu tha - uski mommy kahti use politics me jana chahiye tha :)

"Theek hai, to donon haan milao! Aur dost ban jao!"

Sonu aur Raju ne haath milaya, aur sonu ne apne pocket se nikal kar Raju ko ek toffee gift ki.

“Arre, ye toffee kya Tommy ke corner ki dukan se hai?”

“Haan.”

Sab hassne lage. Aur Kittu bhi apne ghar ki or bhagi - der ho rahi thi aur use homework bhi karna tha.

(Rahul)

(Stories V2)

Kittu Baby and Her Baby Bird

It was still dark outside when Kittu woke up and slipped out of her bed. She struggled to open the door towards the balcony, and stepped out silently. She went on and looked behind the racks and the flower pots; there lied an empty cage. She picked it up and kept it on the table. Then she went in the living room and looked around. She picked up a bottle of water from the table and came back to the balcony. She still remembers when Bhaiya had told her that chilled water from the refrigerator is not good for health. She held the bottle with both her little hands and poured water inside the cage - directly into the cup. Now she looked relieved. Some old flowers and leaves were lying near the flower pots. She picked up many blue and pink flowers from there and one by one dropped many of them inside the cage. On the top of the cage she put the biggest one - an odhaul flower. She kept looking at the cage with her hands on her cheeks… It seemed she heard some noise from inside the house and hence rushed to go back… As she stepped in, mommy struggled to keep her tears in control… It has been three weeks and Kittu’s daily routine always starts with this… She misses her bird…

She still repents why she allowed him bring that bird home They had gone to a friend's place. The friend was an IAS and had kept lots of pets in his bungalow. There were rabbits, parrots, kittens, and dogs of three different breeds. Then there was an aquarium and a big cage for colourful birds. He was her husband's batch-mate from engineering days and had got transferred in the town recently. They were overwhelmed to see him after about twenty years. When it was time to come back home, they gifted something special to Kittu. She had spent much time playing with the colourful birds and they seemed to have noticed that. She tried to stop that ' she didn't favour keeping pets in houses. But he insisted ' he didn't take it seriously and saw no problem in the gesture. Back home, everyone was so happy ' Kittu's already happening life became four times happier with the beautiful bird in the house It went on like that for about three months. The first thing Kittu did after waking up in the morning was to go see her bird. Then she took care of her, fed her, and talked to her as if she was the bird's mother. She had wondered how this little girl still had a mother's heart at this early age! But it was not forever. One afternoon when they came back home, the little bird was found dead in her cage

They couldn't understand the reason. May be she had finished her lifespan. She was wise enough not to allow Kittu know about this. She removed the bird from her cage with shaking hands and wet eyes and put it in a plastic bag. She went with her maid to the nearby park and buried the bird in the soil in a corner. By the time she came back home, Kittu had made it that the bird was missing. She was crying aloud and seeing her crying, mother also had tears in her eyes. It took one hour's persuasion to make her believe that the bird had flown away in the sky

Kittu kept waiting for her baby bird every morning and every afternoon. Her heart ached seeing her baby missing the bird like this. He was going to bring another bird for her from anywhere and at whatever cost, but she had stopped him. The new bird would also die some day and she wanted Kittu to forget her bird. They purchased many new toys for her and even got a new pendulum clock with a small bird in it, but everything went in vain. Kittu won't forget her baby girl

This early morning shook her from the core. As she turned back, she saw he was standing behind. He gave her a gentle hug and wiped tears from her eyes. He brought her to the bedroom and then brought Kittu on the bed too. Kittu's school was closed because of swine flu scar and she had taken sick leave for some days to take rest. It seemed he was going to do something now He called up his office and took a day's leave.

"Kittu, we will go to the zoo today!" Kittu looked towards him with an open mouth and elated eyes! "Sach me?" "Yes dear. We will go to the zoo today and we will see many many animals and birds there!" "Will my bird be there too?" He picked her up and put her in his lap "May be yes Let us find her. How is the idea?" "Haan, maja ayega " Kittu was so happy. She looked at mother, "Are you fine mom?" Mother pulled her towards herself and put the sheet over her too while she held her tightly to her heart

That afternoon he imparted the best management training he ever had conducted for anyone in his career. To convince a child's heart is the most easy and most difficult task in this world. They went to the zoo. He first showed her some happy animals. She was very happy and kept jumping in his hands. Then he took her to the caged animals. These animals looked sad and were not in good health too. Kittu was very sensitive; she felt something was missing there. He explained to her how the animals were missing their natural habitat and hence they suffered lots of physical and mental pain while living in this artificial environment. Gradually Kittu started understanding the things. Then he took her to the birds' cage. At first Kittu was elated as if she found a heaven! The three stood there for long. He wanted her to notice all and understand things by herself. After some time he pointed towards the broken feathers in the cage and the scarce water and food which the birds fought to get to reach. Some of the birds were in bad shape due to neglect. The birds won't fly but would only keep hopping at the walls of the cage. Then he explained how the birds were made to live in the skies and here in the cage they were forced to live in an artificial environment. They didn't get their natural food and they didn't enjoy nature's fresh air and water. They were kept in captivity and they cried every night. Their wings would pain with no opportunity to fly in the sky and their stomach would ache eating the old fruits and other things given to them. "Your baby bird was also kept in captivity, Kittu." "And it is nice that now she is in the open sky "

He held his breadth to see her reaction. Don't know from where the baby had got such sensitivity; she seemed to have gotten the message very well She said, "Yes papa. Now we won't keep any bird in our cage." He looked at his wife, she was like ye!!!!!! while her wet eyes told how touched she was seeing her daughter saying this "Papa, why not free these birds too? They would cry in the night!" He smiled and kissed her on her cheeks. "Baby, we will do that one day "

It takes lots of effort to impart right lessons to our children. But each of our attempts is worth it

(Rahul)

(Stories V2)

छोटी चिड़िया

एक जंगल था जिसमे सारे जानवर और पक्षियाँ खुशी खुशी रहते थे. एक छोटी चिड़िया भी एक बड़े पीपल के पेड़ पर अपने घोसले मे रहती थी. तब बारिश का मौसम था. एक रात बहुत ज्यादा बारिश हुई और छोटी चिड़िया का घोसला टूट गया. चिड़िया ने तो तुरत भाग कर अपनी जान बचाई. अच्छा हुआ अभी उसके कोई बच्चे नही थे. छोटी चिड़िया ने किसी तरह एक गिलहरी के घर मे रात गुजारी. सुबह होने पर उसने चारों तरफ देखा - हर ओर पानी था और सब कुछ गीला गीला था. उसे फिर से घोसला बनाना था, फिर उसे अंडे देने थे जिसमे से उसके बच्चे निकलते. पर बारिश मे सूखे पत्ते और सूखी टहनियाँ कहाँ से मिलतीं? चिड़िया बहुत परेशान हो गयी…

उसने दो दिन बारिश रूकने की प्रतीक्षा की, पर बारिश रुकती ही नही थी. मोर नाचते थे, हिरनी के बच्चे दौड़ते और मेढक भी खुशी खुशी टरराटे. बस छोटी चिड़िया ही परेशान थी. जब कोई रास्ता नही बचा तो चिड़िया ने भगवान से प्रार्थना की: हे भगवान ये कैसा मौसम बनाया है? बारिश ही बारिश होती है और मुझे सूखे पत्ते नही मिलते. बारिश की क्या आवश्यकता? सूखे ही रहने दो, मै दूर नदी के किनारे जा कर पानी पी लिया करूंगी. बाकी जानवर भी तो जा सकते हैं नदी तक? तो फिर बारिश बंद कर दीजिए प्लीज़. लगता है भगवान ने उसकी बात सुन ली…

अगले ही दिन से बारिश बंद हो गयी. चिड़िया ने सूखे पत्ते खोज कर अपना घोसला बनाया. फिर उसने अंडे दिए, उन्हे सेया, और उनमे से बहुत छोटे छोटे बच्चे निकले. छोटी चिड़िया की खुशी की कोई सीमा नही! वो हर सुबह नदी के किनारे से पानी और खाना ले आती. बच्चे धीरे धीरे बड़े होने लगे. और बारिश अब नही होती थी…

कुछ ही दिनो मे जूंगल सूखा हो गया. बिना बारिश के पेड़ों को पर्याप्त पानी नही मिल पाता था और सारे जानवरों को नदी के किनारे जाना होता. शेर चीतों जैसे जानवरों की बन आई. खरगोश और हिरण दिन भर प्यासे रह कर रात मे चुपके से पानी पीने जाते. ऐसे करते कुछ दिन और बीते, पर बारिश नही आई. छोटी चिड़िया अब बहुत दूर के दूसरे जूंगल मे जा कर पानी और खाना लाती थी…

अब तो सूखा पड़ रहा था. पेड़ सूखने लगे, फल फूल सब मुरझा गये. जंगल अब पहचाना नही जा सकता था. और एक सुबह तो सारा जंगल हाहाकार कर उठा… नदी मे पानी बहुत कम हो गया था. अब किनारे मे सिर्फ कीचड़ रहता और बीच नदी मे मगरमच्छ आ गये थे. अगर बारिश नही होती तो नदी पूरी की पूरी सूख जाएगी…

सब जानवर इकट्ठे हुए और उन्होने ईन्द्र भगवान से प्रार्थना की - भगवान पानी बरसाओ वरना हम सब प्यासे मर जाएंगे. पर फिर भी पानी नही बरसा. ऐसे ही दिन बीतते रहे. छोटे जानवर प्यास से बीमार पड़ गये… बड़े जानवरों ने ज्यादा पानी पीना बंद कर दिया और छोटे जानवरों को देने लगे. एक रात पूरा जंगल राजा शेर के पास गया. अगर जंगल मे कहीं पानी था तो वो उन सब के आँखों मे आंशु के रूप मे था…

सब जानवरों ने भगवान की बहुत पूजा की… राजा शेर भी बहुत दुखी हुए. अंत मे उन्होने कहा - अगर मै तुम सब की रक्षा नही कर सकता तो मै अपना राज धर्म नही निभा सकता. ऐसे मे मुझे जीवित रहने का कोई अधिकार नही. अगर कोई प्यासा मरेगा तो पहला मरने वाला मै होऊंगा. ये कह कर राजा शेर खाना पानी त्याग कर भगवान की आराधना करने लगे. तभी आकाश-वाणी हुई…

वो देव वाणी थी. भगवान ने कहा कि तुम्हारे जंगल मे एक चिड़िया ने मेरी पूरे मन से आराधना की थी और वरदान मांगा था कि बारिश बंद हो जाए. जब तक वो अपने वरदान को वापस नही लौटाती, बारिश नही हो सकती…

अब छोटी चिड़िया को अपनी गलती का पता चला. वो स्वार्थी हो गयी थी. उसने ये नही सोचा कि हर जानवर उसकी तरह उड़ नही सकता और ना ही सब उसकी तरह थोड़े से पानी पर जिंदा रह सकते हैं. और बारिश नही होने से नदी भी सूख जाती है. उसने सिर्फ अपने घोसले को जल्दी बनाने के लिए सारे जंगल की बारिश रोक दी थी. उसे अपनी गलती पर बहुत ग्लानि हुई. उसने सारे जंगल को सॉरी कहा और भगवान से सच्चे दिल से माफी मांगी…

अलग अलग मौसम हम सब की भलाई के लिए ही बने हैं. अगर हमेशा गर्मी रहे या हमेशा ठंढ या बारिश रहे, तो प्रकृति असंतुलित हो जाएगी. बारिश और सूखा, गर्मी और ठंढक, ये सब बारी बारी से आने चाहिए, इसी मे सब का भला है. पर हम सब अपने स्वार्थ के कारण प्रकृति को असंतुलित करने लगते हैं. जब छोटी चिड़िया ने माफी मांगी, तो भगवान मुस्कुराए. अचानक बारिश होने लगी…

सब जानवर बहुत खुश हुए… छोटी चिड़िया कुछ तो रोई, और उसके कुछ आंशु खुशी के भी थे… फिर प्रकृति अपनी तरह से चलने लगी… प्रकृति सब हमारे भले के लिए ही करती है..

(राहुल)