Peek-A-Boo—I See You | Flash Post 390

Button, I captured a visual of what seemed like a game between the sun and a decades-old peepul tree just outside the bay windows of our walk-in closet.

How did you manage that?

You may have seen that the master bedroom closet has opaque windows that filter the sun’s rays as it slowly makes it way up and up before settling down on the other side each day.

Are you sure they are not ghosts dancing the Zumba?

I doubt that. But watch how the sun is teasing the leaves and boughs of the tree as they move away on being caressed. Likewise for the leaves that bow low before pushing the sun away.

It’s interesting that you should see it that way.

This sight got my mind ticking about something we can write on.

A story?

Maybe.

Will you start?

Sun: Good morning.

Tree: Good morning.

Sun: Why are you shying away from me today?

Tree: Because you are getting stronger and harsher by the day and my skin is badly sunburnt.

Sun: Are you saying I am hurting you?

Tree: You are. Even my young shoots are getting badly burnt.

Sun: But I am strong and powerful. Very soon I’ll be the strongest.

Tree: But you were much gentler earlier and we’ve lived in harmony all these years. You’ve suddenly changed into this monster who wants to damage and hurt friends and foe alike.

Sun: That’s the plan and the only way I can succeed is by demolishing everything that crosses my path.

Tree: We were friends not too long back and we were equals. We’ve played and teased each other, fought and made up. We’ve shared stories about our lives, laughed and cried together. How did it all change? I have no idea which of us is the stronger one but it has never come in the way of our friendship. Are you angry with me over something?

Sun: Over the years, I have grown more powerful and strong and, unlike you, have very high hopes for myself. Who has time for friends now? I want to lord over this universe. I want to be indestructible.

Tree: Phew. (She noticed the sun had moved and was right above her. It was fiercely hot and she began to perspire). Can I make amends? Is there anything I can do to change so we can continue to be friends?

Sun: My only agenda now is to be more powerful than God, if there is one. You can’t be of any help to me anymore.

Tree: Please spare a friend for old times sake.

While this exchange of words was going on, the peepul tree suddenly realised that during the course of their conversation the sun wasn’t feeling so fierce on her skin anymore. The reason being that it was slowly nearing the other side of the horizon and only a haze remained. She sighed in relief. Tomorrow would be another day. Would they get back together and play a game of peek-a-boo, I see you?

10 Comments

Sherry Godwin January 20, 2020 at 9:41 am

This post of yours is so relevant to our times ma’am…global warming is very much a real thing. Look at how the climate is changing in our own country. This time we had rains till November! It’s very scary!

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- author January 21, 2020 at 7:22 pm
  
  My Dear Sherry,
  
  Global warming is here to stay. I may sound pessimistic but the picture seems very grim. This universe of ours is going through very turbulent times and who knows what the future holds for us.
  
  When was the last time temperatures in Mumbai dipped to 14 degrees Celsius when there’s been no winter here ever since I moved in here!
  
  Reply
Harsh January 20, 2020 at 9:44 am

Hi author, how are you? I love the video you have posted. Such a beautiful imaginative story to go along with it. I keep trying to educate my children on how to be kind towards nature. Don’t burn electricity when not needed. Switch off lights and ACs when you don’t need them. Carpool instead of taking the car out everyday so that emissions are less. We all have to protect earth in the best way we can. Hopefully, people will understand that this post has a larger meaning and purpose.

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- author January 21, 2020 at 7:29 pm
  
  My dear Harsh,
  
  If we don’t take it upon ourselves to teach our kids right values, who will?
  
  As kids, we didn’t have electricity at home, bathed from buckets, didn’t know what air conditioning or tvs were, walked to school every day and still lived our lives. We were not plundering this universe and were still happy. Aspiration, greed and to quote Alice from Alice in Wonderland, we have to keep running all the time these days to stay where we are. Sad but that’s the truth.
  
  Reply
Bianca Gomes January 20, 2020 at 9:47 am

For someone who loves sunshine and basking in the sun, even I hesitate to step out. The sun is so sharp and harsh that I’m afraid we’ll get a sunstroke or something. I never step out without sunscreen. And my work is mostly outdoors so I have to be extra cautious. Advice for everyone, be aware of global warming and works towards a better future for all of us and generations ahead.

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- author January 22, 2020 at 11:36 am
  
  My dear Bianca,
  
  I, too, love sunshine but when your vitamin D is low and your GP advises you to take in the sun everyday for 15-20 minutes, it’s just not possible because the sun is so ferocious. The doctor also suggests you apply sunscreen lotion. Do you know that the Pacific nation of Palau is the first country to ban sun cream because it is harmful to corals and sea life?
  
  Reply
rohan joshi January 20, 2020 at 9:52 am

What can the sun do? It’s not the sun’s fault. He also has survival instincts. The human race has destroyed all green covers in their haste to develop their cities and in their greed to commercialise the country. Including the government. Every other country protects their greenery and has parks and forests for their citizens and their wildlife. We are the only ones destroying ours day by day. Obviously, we will be burnt

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- author January 22, 2020 at 11:57 am
  
  My dear Rohan,
  
  You are absolutely right. We are entirely responsible for this destruction. In our haste, we have grabbed far too much than we need without giving any of it back.
  
  Reply
Subodh Bhave January 20, 2020 at 9:54 am

What is happening in Australia is literally the end of the world. It is devastating and it is a direct by product of ignoring our nature and global warming. We sometimes don’t realise how devastating that situation is. Millions of trees and thousands of animals are dying even today. If this can happen in Australia, I wonder what the destiny of the world is!

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author January 22, 2020 at 12:08 pm

Dear Subodh,

What you are saying is all true but the question is: Have I been able to stop this destruction in whatever little way I can? Have you?

It’s very easy for all of us to read the newspapers every morning or listen to the news on television and quote from them but have you or I been able to make even the slightest difference to reverse our wrongs?

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