True story from our childhood: empathy, care and freedom
Pappu, Sanju and Bholu along with their parents were living in a reasonably inhabited place in Uttarakhand. They used to play football, cricket, badminton. When father was away their favourite game was building mud house and decorating it.
One day their father had gone for a tour and didn’t come
back till late evening. Mom gave food to kids and waited for him worrying. There
were no land line phones in remote areas, so worrying was the only thing any
women would have done in such a situation. An encounter with tiger, jeep meeting
an accident - sort of thoughts were coming in her mind. She waited without
speaking a word to her kids. Even kids were also worried so on one slept.
There was knock on the door at 11 in the night. Mom asked
who and father replied it was him. Father had a parrot in his hand wrapped in
his white handkerchief. Handkerchief had blood stains. Father said that jeep
driver saw wounded parrot lying in the middle of road and stopped. Father took him
with help of handkerchief.
Mom applied turmeric to the parrot. He was treated well like
an important guest- given the best food and drinks. His sleeping arrangement
were made in a vegetable basket made of cane. Worries disappeared automatically
and everyone went to sleep with excitement of new member in family.
Very next day, he was given a very common name of parrots - Mithu.
Another cane basket with a hanging bracket and a lid was
given to Mithu. They decorated it better than their home. Steel bowls for food
and water was kept inside the basket. Due to care and home food Mithu not only fully
recovered but also gained health. They were looking for ways to make Mithu more
comfortable so they decided that father will get an expensive steel cage for
Mithu, when he goes to city for next official meeting.
They knew that parrots can speak like humans. They tried to
teach Mithu some Hindi sentences but Mithu didn’t learn any.
It was month of August and kids were talking about cultural
programs in school for Independence Day celebrations. In the evening when two
elder kids were studying and father was going through some official files.
Pappu and Sanju talked about cultural program preparation. They talked about
what teacher told them about Independence and freedom struggle. Teacher told them
that dependent people are like caged birds. Pappu asked father “is our Mithu also
longs for his freedom”. Father replied – Yes, everyone longs for freedom. Bholu
listened to them while trying to unbind their books apart and said “why are we
taking his freedom away”.
Everyone became dejected.
No one said anything but vibes told it. Excitement in family
disappeared even though Mithu looked healthy and happy.
After few days, one evening, Mom proposed to set Mithu free.
Everyone was sad but non one apposed. Kids wanted to do it right away. But mom said
we shall not do it in the night.
Next day morning, there was a clear sky. Mithu was given breakfast
and lid of basket was kept open.
Mithu didn’t leave.
They waited for 5 mins. Mithu was still in the basket.
They said go Mithu.
Mithu flew to the branch of small in front yard.
Everyone waived him good bye as Mithu took another flight to
freedom.
#Karuna
#Empathy
#Animal care
#Care
#Careforothers
#This is a true story from our childhood.
Year: around 1985
Place:
Block Development Office (B.D.O), Jaiharikhal
VM9H+3XX, Jaiharikhal, Jaiheri, Uttarakhand 246193
https://goo.gl/maps/zkXzDeVNSNoQzjnt6
https://myroots.euttaranchal.com/block-jaiharikhal-pauri-garhwal-44.html
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