(This is the story I wrote as a birthday gift to one of my dearest friend)
Here am I going to tell you a long long so long story. The story is about a recluse who lived in a land of green forests and hills kissing the skies, with small streams running silently as if not to disturb the chanting ceremony of the cuckoos. Yes. Such was the landscape and there was this recluse all alone like a Adam without an Eve.
It was the day when the moon was in its complete splendour ruling the night sky on the resplendent canopy of the starry sky. The recluse after his meditation was just finishing the night rituals of purification for the meal. And lo! There was a terrifying sound that gripped the whole forest with a sense of strange fear, which the holy recluse had never ever felt. It sent a cold shiver through his nerves. He stood motionless not knowing as to what to do, as the sound seemed approaching closer and closer. Gathering whatever little courage he had, the recluse decided with the stern determination to face the faceless dilemma. Mmbbbbbssssshhhhhh ......... mmbrrrrrrrr mbrrrrrr ….mbbbbbbb… rrrrrrrrrrsssssssssshhhhhhhhhhhhh.... It was a cloud of such brightness that was beyond comprehension, beyond description....beyond perception… beyond conception of any genius mind..., swallowed the whole forest for the night.
In the morning a young man who lost his way into the forest happened to reach the place. He was taken aback to see the body of a young girl lying under the tree. She was the rarest beauty he had ever seen or heard of. Her face was so serene, so peaceful yet so splendid. He was afraid for there was no movement of any kind in her. She looked as if nothing but dead. He tried to ignore her and walk away… but could not move a step. Some power he felt had enveloped the place and he was completely lost. His mind went blank and for a moment he felt so confused he knew not what to do.
Suddenly he sensed something moving and a strange fear gripped him. He turned his head and for his astonishment, lo! The Beauty was trying to get to her feet. He moved towards her slowly fearing she would notice. And at once there was a loud scream that struck him like a thunder and he fell off unconscious.
Something strange had taken place. Heavens know how and why. The girl could not believe herself. She looked around. All was same. Yet a baffling mystery haunted her... Who was she? Where did she come from? Who brought her there? What is her name? At a sudden she felt as if something shook her, as if some power creeping in and taking hold of her. Now she came to her senses! Unbelievable yet there it was- the night before…… the sound…… the cloud… the brightness… and then complete darkness! The mysterious nightmare was not a dream. The recluse was no more one but a beautiful girl. But how...? Why? .......... Questions remained. It was then that she noticed the young man lying on the ground. But where did he come from? She bent over him and looked closely at him. He was handsome, young and she loved him. At once the man opened his eyes and was perplexed seeing the girl. She touched his forehead gently and he felt a strong current running wild into his being. Some thing strange was at work within him. It was not a simple touch. When he came to his full senses he came to his feet and there they were standing against each other. Their eyes met in a strange meeting and their hearts were restless for each other as if they had known each other for years. He too loved her. But he dare not ask her any questions.
In the depths of their hearts, they knew that they were destined for each other. The boy almost forgot his village and all with it and got lost in the beauty that imprisoned him so fully. They spoke no words but silence. Venus was instilling its magic with its cherubs into these young souls. Their hands met. He took her in his arms and they were lost in an eternal embrace of the romantic trance. The darkness hovered over as the sun went for his day's rest. He took her up in his arms into the hut of the recluse and laid her on the bed. With a single lamp to adorn the scene, they undressed and were lost in the arms of each other as they made love. The night that passed was momentous... for a babe would be born as the fruit of that oneness, who would be:
A blessing to all, whom he meets,
A comfort to all who mourn,
A ray of hope for all the oppressed,
A friend to all lonely.
Joy he would bring in times of pain
Open minded would he be to Abel to Cain
Sweet would be his voice on every ear
Sind of heart and a life sincere
Young may you live though pass every year
Singing you a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY
A blessing you are for me all life's day
Very much are you remembered on your special day
I pray may HE bless you at every step on your way
Oh! How we miss you on this happy day!
