Once upon a time a withered leaf fell among lumps of earth lying at a construction site. One of the lumps there was attracted to the fallen leaf. The dry leaf also had a special feeling for the lump of earth. Eventually they fell in love. Unnoticed by others they shared the deep desires of their hearts. Subsequently they decided to set out together on a long long journey, a pilgrimage to Kashi, the holy city of Varanasi (Benares). Both were fully aware of their fragility and vulnerability. If exposed to rain the lump of earth would melt away. Exposed to strong winds the dry leaf would be swept away. So they devised an intelligent plan to protect themselves. In the likely event of rain the leaf would sit atop the lump and shield it like an umbrella. In case of strong winds the lump would sit on the dry leaf and protect it from being blown away. So they set out “hand in hand”, bracing rain and wind for days and nights. And finally the holy city appeared on the far horizon. Their faces lighted up with joy, hope and a sense of near accomplishment.
Suddenly the sky darkened, a heavy rain and a howling wind arrived together. The dry leaf was blown away and the lump of earth was melted down to a little pool of murky water.
What a tragic end for a loving couple!! Yet this terrible story was taught to us, 7- year old children at school. Printed in large fonts without illustration the text had to be read aloud in class to practice our mother tongue. Most of us small kids read it well, and probably enjoyed the rhyming end of the story too. Looking back one realises the deep sadness and sense of meaninglessness the story might have instilled in some of the sensitive kids. I wonder if any contemporary child psychologist would recommend that story to be included in the primary school text.
Could it be traces of that traumatic childhood memory that provoked me to retell the story now? Probably the recounting can be therapeutic for me according to what Freudian psychoanalysts tell me. Along with the melancholic side the story carried a very positive note as well. It is the story of a deep commitment and ultimate loyalty of the leaf and the lump to each other. They travelled together towards a noble goal in unwavering friendship and love until the relentless law of nature ‘did them part’. Memory eternal!
∎
