A Good Life

  While travelling by train one day, I stood leaning against a panel, backing the direction in which the train was moving. After some time, I changed sides and then I stood facing the direction in which the train was moving. A small change made me realise the importance of perspective.   With my back facing the direction in which the train was going, I felt I was constantly moving away from somewhere. Everything seemed left behind and I seemed to be going away from all I could see. But when I was facing the direction in which the train was going, I had a feeling of arriving somewhere. It felt like everything was coming to me and I was coming close to whatever I saw. A really small shift in position but a major shift in perspective. The same train, running in the same direction but things seemed different, depending on my point of view.   I also realised, when I’m looking behind, my focus is always on what’s gone or going. As a result, I miss the beauty of what’s there now...

  MORNING WALK Rajeev was out for his morning walk in the park. After half an hour of walking, he felt surprisingly energetic and decided to jog for some time. After ten minutes of jogging, he felt even better and decided to sprint for some time. After completing a total of an hour in the park he decided to head back home. Rajeev was proud of what he had done that day. "I'm eager to get home, I want to tell my wife about the workout I did today. Every day she complains that I avoid my walks and that I'm not fit. Wait till she hears about this," he told his friend Arun who also happened to be in the park that morning. Rajeev hurried home, eager to boast about his achievements or at least what he thought were achievements. When he reached home, which was a bungalow in a plush suburban locality of Mumbai, he was shocked to see many people gathered there. People dressed in white were everywhere, the porch of the bungalow, the garden, the approach road and even the footpat...

  “Stay close to me Anna, I’ll look after you,” said Ivan. Ivan was just 10 years old, little Anna was just 5.  “Excuse me sir,” said Ivan to a soldier. “What is it?” He asked. “We heard there’s food being distributed, where might that be?” “Just go straight and take the second right,” guided the soldier. “Thank you, sir,” replied Ivan. “Come Anna, I know you are hungry, so am I. We haven’t eaten anything in a couple of days.” “Where are mom and dad Ivan?” Asked Anna. “I don’t know Anna. But I know we will see them again soon!” “You promise?” “I do Anna. I do.” Though Ivan was scared, he tried not to let Anna know that. His brave little heart was full of doubt. He had no clue what was in store for them. He had no clue if his parents were still alive. But hope was still alive and he kept a happy face so that Anna would not break down. They had stepped out of their shelter after 3 days when they got a couple of hours of respite from the bombings to get some food and water. The c...