उल्लुओं के पीछे

 In this day and age, many are becoming just “trend- follower.” And there are too many trends to follow.(social media trends, business trends, sports trends, political view trends and trends on almost all what matters or doesn’t). Even though many find a lot of these trends questionable. Then there are those who won't follow and will be considered "uncool." Many just feel forced by pure peer pressure to follow the trends. A confession, I might have toggled between being UNCOOL and forced follower myself from time to time. The lines below are just thoughts of  trend followers, forced or by choice.

हर शाख पे उल्लू बैठा था

तो हम भी उल्लू हो लिए

बर्बाद गुलिस्ताँ होता देखा पर 

उदास आँखे मींचे सो लिए 

फिर सोचा इन शाखों पे

कितने उल्लू हम जैसे होंगे

जो बाज की फितरत रखते थे

पर उल्लुओं के पीछे हो लिए

सोचो, बाज बाज ही रहते तो 

गुलिस्ताँ अब भी आबाद होता

Note: Didnt click any Owl or Hawk pictures so birds in pics are different.

Meet the Storyteller

 

If you and I are in a party, 8 out of 10 chances are you will not notice me even if I am right there, just like the fly on the wall. 1 out 10 chance you will notice me and would want to get rid of me, just like the fly on the wall. And then there is this 1 chance that you would like to know me, and you will end up having a friend to rely upon, and more.

 

That is me in 3 sentences. I am not unsocial or loner or anything, on the contrary I am always in awe of fellow humans. I just love to listen and observe. I am so interested in all the awesome things people have done and continued to do that I get immersed and live their experiences through their narration. I don't speak as I don't want to burden people with the mundane things that I can offer. I live a lot of my days on my desk, on my work and in my mind. There is a beautiful cosmos in there, decorated with the stories and anecdotes you have blessed me with from your life. Those stories make me know you so well.

 I don't bother that you don't know what my likes or dislikes are, as I am aware I could never share those with you with an interesting narrative for you to remember.

 

I have experiences and stories. All of them are real. Maybe 80% real from what happened in the world we all share and 20% real from the world that my mind is. But I would never mix them as the two sets should never be mixed. The basic laws including those of physics are applied differently in the two realms so mixing the two can never be fun. Being able to observe the two and be a part of both is a blessing. I try to share those through my writings. Again, keeping the storyteller mode on and not that of a seasoned author.

 The era of my kind is fading. Age of superiority and precision of all things dawned long ago. I did cling on to what I loved. And I will continue telling my stories, as that is what defines me. 

 I believe story is what defines us as humans. Our history, our Mythology, our religion, our scientific advancement; all of it would cease to exist if there were no story tellers. And when I say the Era of my kind is fading, I don't really mean the era of storytelling is fading; storytelling will always be there as long as the human race exists, although it will change ways like it has many times in past centuries. The Spirit of storytelling is immortal and will always stay

 And so, the storyteller will always be there. 

 To end this note I will say that now that you have noticed me, don't forget this; however uninspiring I may seem at the gatherings. Take that one chance out of 10, to know me. Just try and you may hear a story that warms your heart or may even change your life. Good news; there are many of me in all gatherings in all parties, somewhere in the corners immersed in a story while weaving a new one. Just say hello and ask and be ready to listen. 

और तुम पूछते हो

ऐसा तूफाँ कि बस्तियाँ उड़ा दे 

और तुम पूछते हो, 

"दिल में क्या छुपाये बैठे हैं?"

यह बाँध टूटा तो क्या-क्या बहा ले जायेगा 

पलकों के उस ओर,

इक सैलाब दबाये बैठे हैं 

ऐसा नहीं कि मन में तरंग नहीं कोई 

मगर रोज़मर्रा से ही, 

बहुत उकताए बैठे हैं 

फिर भी तुम पूछते हो 

"दिल में क्या छुपाये बैठे हैं?"

Monkey and roasted grams

 

 What do you mean out of this world taste? He asked. Can not explain, you have to taste it yourself, his friend replied with mischief on his face. Come with me tomorrow and I will show you. I am sure you will thank me for that. His friend stated before going to his night rest.

Next morning both were on their way to the temple on the top of the hill. And outside the temple in small saucers made of dried banyan tree leaf were these small yellow balls, with cracked brown shells. These are roasted grams; the humans roast it with salt and that make it the heavenly treat. His friend whispered in his ear, as both walked gingerly, towards the priced find. Being monkeys, moving with that gait was obviously unreal, but they wanted to pick the heavenly goodness before the humans chase them away. The roasted grams were kept; to be bought by worshippers as an offering to the goddess inside the temple.

They pounced and grabbed 1 cup each and dashed, scattering more than half of the contents hurriedly. He tasted and as his friend has predicted; he was hooked to the taste. And then this became almost an everyday trip to temple, grab and scatter; get chased all the way to the thick woods and then sit on a high branch to enjoy the goodies. A few days later, seemingly the humans gave up and started keeping a few saucers of grams at a little distance from their shops so that the monkeys can grab those without disturbing the shop settings. But little did the monkeys know that with ease comes greed and with greed comes problems.

A few days went past, and the monkeys were getting used to daily treat of roasted grams and were thankful to the humans and the Goddess of the temple.

One day when he was taking his regular trip to temple, as he stepped out of the thick woods, he saw there was a big wooden box sitting on the ground. He moved close to see, to see. Monkeys are inquisitive by nature. When he peeked inside the box from the hole on the top, he knew it was his prayers being heard; his dreams came true. The box was filled with grams, roasted to perfection, so he can get those from here without having to go all the way to the temple, he thought. And this box will last him weeks. He quickly slid his right hand through the hole and grabbed a handful of grams in it. There was another hole right next; he slid his left hand and filled another fistful

As he tried to pull his hands out, he realized that the holes were to small to let a fist full of grams to slide out. He was annoyed, how can these humans be so clumsy. He tried to yank his hand out, but the fist was too big for the hole, he tried his left hand, but the same thing. He was upset and angry and tried to pull harder. But the fists were stuck. For a moment his mind thought that he can open his fist and pull his hand out, but that will mean losing the grams. He rejected the thought as soon as it came to his mind. How could he lose the treasure that was granted to him? He tried and tried to pull his fists out. But will not lose even one roasted gram from his grip. A few hours went past; his hands were hurting, his wrists aching, and he was extremely tired and annoyed. But he was committed to not lose his treasure.

By the time it started getting bit dark, he was too tired to stay alert; but will not lose his grip. How could he, and then a few men came out of nowhere. The shopkeeper from the temple was leading them; he was hoping that he is rescued; but in a flash the dangerous looking man from mid of the bunch, placed a collar around his neck.

What was that? He was confused and upset at what was happening; not realizing that he has lost his freedom; to roam in the woods and was held captive by the monkey charmer. His mom’s caution flashed in his mind, “beware of the tricks of madaari” Now he knew. (Madaari is the hindi word for monkey charmer)

The monkey was enslaved by the Madaari. He lost his freedom and he realized; it was not the madaari who played the trick; it was his own greed that enslaved him. But it was too late and he may not be even able to warn his friends of that. Ashamed and restrained with a collar tied to a large rope he followed the madari to his fate, that his own greed had written.

 Everyday I see people running after hoarding material gains while ignoring the simple beauty of life. Next increment, next bonus, next car, next house, next boat, next plane, next holiday, next diamond next opportunity to brag at the cost of ignoring health, family, friends, peace of mind and life it self. And I feel, we still are not completely evolved from the apes as we carry the same illogical greed. Just think, can you let go the next fist full of your roasted grams and be free?

GREED ENSLAVES 

PS: Ambition and Greed are very different things so let us not confuse the two, above story is about greed and not about ambition

 

परिचय पत्र

 

We all have made resumes in the past, sharing one lesser shared resume below

परिचय पत्र 

भागता तो नहीं पर 

थोड़ा तेज़ चलता हूँ 

जल्दबाज़ नहीं हूँ पर 

कुछ जल्दी में रहता हूँ 

कभी मुंहफट लगता हूँ क्योकि

मन की कहता हूँ 

भरोसा कम नहीं है फिर भी 

थोड़ा शंकित रहता हूँ 

दांत नहीं दीखते ऐसे 

आधा मुँह हँसता हूँ 

आँख हमेशा नम लगती है 

लेकिन कम ही रोता हूँ 

अनोखा हूँ थोड़ा शायद 

कुछ को अजीब भी लगता हूँ 

भागता तो नहीं पर 

थोड़ा तेज़ चलता हूँ 

जल्दबाज़ नहीं हूँ पर 

कुछ जल्दी में रहता हूँ 

Deep Inside

 Having asked a simple question "how are you holding up?" He smiled and narrated  this episode in response

 Few steps more and then all is going to be fine. This is not the first time he felt this way. His parched lips needed water and his blistered feet were resisting to move. The Sun felt so hot as if he could touch its burning surface if he had stretched his arm just a little bit. 

No shade in sight but the water is just a few steps away, he could see the blue shimmering surface of the small lake not too far away. But the lake kept on moving farther away as he tried to step closer to it.

 This is not the lake; you know this is a mirage his mind told him. You cannot be a fool to not know the difference between the mirage and oasis? A small voice angrily asked from the corner of his mind. They all left, turned or stopped and some got far ahead of you. You are all by yourself, he heard the small voice tell him.

He ignored and took another step. And then one more and so on. 

Deep inside he knew there was no Oasis. Deep inside he knew this was a mirage. Deep inside he knew he was not a fool. Deep inside he knew he had come too far to turn back. Deep inside he knew stopping there meant the end of it all. Deep inside he knew it was hopeless. Deep inside he knew he can't give up. Deep inside he knew he would go on till he cannot anymore. Deep inside he had never lost his faith on his feet and Deep inside he had never lost faith in the possibility of a miracle. 

Deep inside he knew he was invincible as long as he was alive.

I may never know that man in the desert or what happened to him in the end. but whenever I think of his story, I always pray that he met the miracle, the hope of which had kept him going. As such lone travelers can always use a prayer. 

Then and Now

Somewhat sleepy and tired; he stepped out of the airplane. It was daylight and he was sleepy. That is what being in the other side of the world will do to you, the mind suggested. He was jetlagged, a term that he had heard but never experienced before. As he stepped out of the jetway he just thought that it was his first step on a land outside his birth country. He was in his 20s. Had lived in hostel many years and travelled for work, but this thought of being in a new country just overwhelmed his mind with so many emotions. Tired, yet excited; hopeful, yet worried; happy and homesick all at once. He knew something has changed

I am not going to stay here forever. Just a short while, will live and learn and explore for a couple of years before I return to where the roots are, he thought silently in his heart while slowly crawling through the long immigration line.

After some paperwork and sleepy answers to immigration officer he moved through customs to main terminal.
In the main terminal, there was a smartly dressed fellow in a black suit, much shorter than himself, carrying a board with his name on it. Yes that will be me; he gestured with a smile and the guy with board  (later he learnt was named Ronnie) started leading him through the aisles and parking lot to the shining black Lincoln towncar. This was his ride arranged by the company he was going to join in a couple of days. Then the car started rolling on roads that he has never seen, places he has never been and feelings he had never had.

Snow on the side of the roads, cold air gently moving the pine trees on the next to the road. This country is so different for where he had come from yet so similar, he thought as the car rolled towards his apartment almost 12 miles east of the airport.

All that feels like a different life time now. That was me 20 years ago; today 3/3/2001.

Difficult to think that was me, I don't even look like him.

A lot happened in last 20 years, most of it I had never thought of that day, 20 years ago. Still it feels a very simple life as is standing here today.

I can count a few things during this period

·        A lot of friendship -Earned 

·        A lot of new people -Learned 

·      A lot of new places- Experienced

·      Some success along the way - Celebrated 

·       Some failures along the way - Coached

Lost hair and youthful looks of yesteryears and lost hair (had to say that again)

Less hair means more experience as you may hear me say (won’t tell if that is true; you may see for yourself)

20 years and I can tell myself again that all the stress and worries are useless, as life changes daily

Or what changes everyday is called Life