Saturday, September 12, 2020

The magic of the kite

Dinesh and Savitri along with their six-year-old son had come to South India on a vacation. They had been planning this visit for a long time with Chennai as their last point. Both of them had not seen Marina beach in their life. They had reserved one day in Chennai specially for this purpose.

When they went early in the evening, they were taken in by the bewitching beauty of Marina beach. The warmth of the long stretch of sands, the view of the vast expanse of sea with its roaring waves in the azure back ground and the accompanying cool breeze transported them to heavenly joy. Both had wanted to stand in the water and enjoy the waves lashing at their feet. But they had not envisaged the great problem that arose from their son Varun.

 Ever since he came to the beach, he was cross and irritable. He was scared of the sea with its vast expanse of water and its giant waves. He grumbled that he cannot walk on the sand and complained of pain in the leg. He squatted on the sand sobbing and imploring them not to go near the water. He was throwing up all sorts of tantrums. Not all the cajoling and appeasing with candies, ice cream, and pony ride would make him budge. He stood adamant refusing to move and wailing at the top of his voice. He was afraid the water would swallow them. The couple were at their wit’s end not knowing what to do. They didn’t want to miss enjoying the beach having come this far but were also averse to make the boy cry further.

It was then Varun saw one young boy of his age with his shorts fully drenched in water returning with his dad from the sea shore. He. came running straight towards Varun and surprisingly handed him over the thread of the kite he was keeping afloat. Varun was elated at this unexpected gesture and got immersed in keeping the kite afloat in the sky. He stopped crying and was able to stabilize the kite with the help of his daddy. All his petulance had vanished and he was walking with his parents towards the water. There was no resistance as he was busy keeping the kite in position. Dinesh and Savitri took turns to stand in the water with the waves breaking on their legs, and drenching their clothes. It was an exhilarating and new experience for them. The sun was still shining but they had to leave to catch the night train to Delhi.

When they started walking back, with a reluctant Varun behind them, towards the waiting car on the road, they saw another young boy again of Varun’s age with his parents crying and refusing out of fear to move towards the sea. He too, as Varun did, squatted on the sand, and wailed hysterically with his parents looking helplessly.

Varun was amused. His parents smiled remembering the antics of Varun a couple of hours before. They were surprised when Varun walked towards the crying boy and handed over the thread of the kite that was still floating up in the sky. The same metamorphosis from fear to joy came about in the boy’s face with Varun walking proudly with his parents towards the car.

(Written 11 years back,this story has not been read by most of my current followers)


27 comments:

  1. Excellent post. Some kid gave the kite thread to Varun and he gave it to another kid. This is called pay-it-forward.

    ReplyDelete
  2. A very sweet story highlighting a child’s pure innocent joy. Does not take a lot to distract them or make them happy. Their fear , uncertainty are easily blown away by the breeze of curiosity and happiness. This is also why they are like wet clay and can be molded any way we want. God definitely resides in such innocence. Really enjoyed the story.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Top class. Loved the narration. Simple beautiful story.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Forwarding happiness from one to the other! Beautiful story, KP!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Yet again a nice story. That innocence and hassle free sharing is great.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Really liked the way you have described how a child instinctively understand another child’s fears and how one natural innocent good deed led to another “pass it along” deed
    Enjoyed it very much.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Very enjoyable read..an innocent story

    ReplyDelete
  8. Good deeds have ripple effects. The simple act done in a spontaneous gesture has a great impact on a child’s mind.The adults need not tutor their child or teach how to pay kindness forward. There is a Godly inane kindness in children. That is what this kite sharing is all about ! Beautiful!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. A nice warm story. Everything is infectious with children. If one child cries the rest will start off.well brought out.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Loved it KP! Thank you for the re sharing...

    ReplyDelete
  11. Beautifully narrated children's behaviour

    ReplyDelete
  12. Spreading joy from one to another. So beautiful

    Thank you
    Chitra Solomon

    ReplyDelete
  13. Beautiful and heart warming story. A young lad helped Varun overcome his fear of water. Youngsters are innocent, simple and ready to share. Varun had no reservation in passing on the kite strings to another lad. Varuna parents also deserve applause. They allowed the youngster his tantrums. They did not attempt to coerce him and drag him into the sea. The only tried gentle coaxing.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Very nice story! I was expecting an after-life or other spiritual type ending but this was even better!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I too expected the fear to be of some past life incident..

      Delete
  15. Such a thoughtful metamorphosis. Nice read Sir!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Letting go of fear and passing on happiness.. lesson to be learnt here! Nice story, different from your other stories.
    Vasudha

    ReplyDelete
  17. Values are accumulated with experiences, children acquire faster than adults, nice one!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Nice little story. It proves that children possess innocence. I like the story.

    ReplyDelete
  19. The kite is the catalyst in overcoming of fear in the mind of Varun. The chemistry transmitted by a stranger boy was retransmitted by Varun to another boy who held a complex like himself based on his own experience.
    The inner ego, as you may agree, that Varun held, not to appear a cry boy,made him accept the offer of the thread from a peer boy.
    At times even good parenting doesn't solve the problems of a complex mind of the child difficult to fathom .

    ReplyDelete
  20. Phew..glad that it was a nice sweet story with a happy ending for I had conjured up all sorts of twists and turns like Tsunami, mishaps, foreseeing danger, drowning, etc..
    A short one albeit with a profound moral of sharing and caring..as seen through the eyes of young children

    ReplyDelete
  21. The story 'The magic of the kite’ is outstanding. The boy's fear of vastness of the sea is gone when he sees a fearless boy of his age so happy with his shorts drenched in sea water and holding the thread of a little kite In his hand.The same fearlessness, freedom and felicity found in the boy is transmitted from one boy to the other through the kite... What a beautiful image! A big message through a tiny tale.Thank you so much!


    Bijaylaxmi

    ReplyDelete
  22. Lovely story. I wish adults could learn this "pass on a good deed" attitude

    ReplyDelete
  23. Beautiful story. I like it very much.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Woww..this one is brilliant. I wonder how its missed. Such an amazing plot. That is how kids are so innocent yet so thoughtful. Definitely its delivering such a strong message of spreading goodness around. Great read...

    ReplyDelete