This story is published in The Sulonian’14 at Smt Sulochanadevi Singhania School, Thane, India
That day I was solitary sittin on a dilapidated bench. My head thrown back with the profuse hair hanging like a dark curtain behind which the sun glimmers. I could observe all the boys and girls also men and women cheering aloud and celebrate their pleasures. I could see flowers blossom in their full vigor. I could watch the huge trees full of foliage. Still my eyes were yearning for His advent. My ears were excited to hear His call. My body rested to feel His unique touch and my soul waited on to grow lofty with His holy presence. He was that time a symbol yet to be deciphered, a puzzle yet to be solved and a knot yet to be detangled. He was the greatest form of bliss but yet to be received.
But all of a sudden instead of seeing Him, I encountered an old gentleman who seemed indifferent to all the usual activities but was fascinated by my distinct stillness. He sat beside me and graced me with his solicitude. He started the conversation by asking my name. I hesitantly replied “Utkarsha.” He further enquired “Beta (O child), why are you wasting your lovely youthfulness sitting here idle?” I replied with a spontaneous impulse “I am desperate to see God. Can you help me?” The man paused. He was apathetic. I thought he will scorn me as a foolish and scold me like most other elderly men but he replied with an unexpected Yes. He said, “Observe the magnificence of nature and you will find the evidence of His existence. Think about the sun and the moon which provide light by the day and night respectively. They don’t fight for position and perform their duties everyday with perfect synergy. Isn’t that great? Utkarsha, you must know about universe and the position of the earth in solar system, right?
I replied “Of course.”
“Then you must realize that earth is exactly at a distance from the sun from which we all receive right amount of heat and light. It is not a coincidence. It is a deliberate creation. Dear, it is God who showers rains from heavens and renders fruitful seasons to fill our belly with fruits and hearts with gladness. He is the glory of Alexander and Lincoln which motivates you to be equally glorious and strong. He is in the music of artists like Lata Mageshkar, Michael and Madonna which infuses in you a liquid wave positive desire to carry on with life amid every shade of circumstances. He is the relish which pure and serene water renders us all. He is the air which you can’t see but feel it entering in your lungs to enliven you every day. He is the wisdom of Vivekananda, Socrates and Buddha which makes you knowledgeable and wise”. There was a brief interlude. We both starred each other and then he silently walked away glimmering with his indifferent bearing.
At that point I was finally blessed not because God met me but I was able to feel his eternal presence and ultimately realized that he is a part of my life and cause of my existence. I felt like a river which suddenly discovered the great ocean of truth and love and mingled with it to become the very love and truth by herself. Now I understand the cool breeze in the park that whispers to me that sometimes what is real is not something you can see outside but something you can always feel inside. Today I am flowing with my beautiful life and realization of His immortal presence only because “one day an old gentlemen sat by me on a decrepit bench”.
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