The grey shades of light - Diwali thoughts

Scene 1

The Sun had vanished hours back but darkness is not successful yet to cast over the Kingdom. Their King and Queen are returning home after long 14 years. The entire kingdom is illuminated with lamps of different shapes, sizes and colours. The Royal couple walked in front of the procession. The entire city flocked on the street to have a glimpse at them. Tears of happiness rolled out while shouting "long live King an Queen". Singing and dancing they showered flowers all over. The soldiers cleared the way for the royal couple.

Suddenly a kid sneaked through the barricade and ran towards the Queen, holding a piece of paper in his hand. The soldiers stopped and pulled him back.

 "Leave him" ordered the Queen.

The little boy reached near her gave her the paper he was holding. She was surprised to see a picture of her neatly drawn on the paper. She held his hand and kissed on his forehead.

The boy was not even born when she left the kingdom. She thought

Scene 2

The smell of the city is still fresh and filling her nose, eyes still reflecting the lights all around and the love and affection of the people in her heart. The 14 years struggle has got buried deep down under. The queen slowly drifted to sound sleep.

Scene 3

The queen woke up early in the morning. Yesterday’s memory still fresh in her mind, she opened the windows. Instead of the cool gentle breeze, she was greeted by the air filled with dust and smoke. The entire Kingdom looked to be covered with dust and smoke .She summoned her maids.

"What is stinking out there? The city looks and smells like a battle field"

"Your Majesty, People were celebrating your return. There were fireworks all over throughout the night. It polluted our city and I also there were some accidents and deaths"

"That is bad" exclaimed the Queen. "I brought sufferings to my people and country?"

“I would like to see the reality myself”

"Your Highness. I will arrange for a chariot"

"No.. shouted the Queen. I need to experience the same thing my people are facing because of me". Her face was red with anger and the pain was very visible.

Without waiting for anybody she ran to the street, which is piled up dust and the debris from yesterday's celebration.

"I am ashamed to say that forest was a better place to walk than my country". she said to herself.

The maids and soldiers rushed to escort her. But she did not wait for anyone.

Scene 4

The queen has reached the nearest village within no time. The news spread like fire and the villagers assembled around.

She sat in a corner bogged down with grief, anger & disappointment. "Can someone tell me what happened yesterday?"

"All the rich people in this area were celebrating with fireworks. Some of the huts got burned. Few people including kids lost their eye sights and arms. Couple of old people died due to noise and suffocation."

“People used this opportunity to show their pride"

The Queen closed her ears, eyes and she wept inconsolably. There was pin drop silence. A gentle breeze came from nowhere as if to console her. But the smoke, dust and the debris started dancing in the breeze. Every one closed their eyes and nose to escape.

Finally a breeze settle down. The Queen opened her eyes. A small piece of paper slowly floated in the wind and settled near her. She took the paper. It looked familiar.

Yes! it is same picture of her she saw yesterday in the hands of the kid. But the face was not recognizable. It had stains of blood all over and had turned black with the smoke and dust.

"Oh Mother! This is not the place I want to be. Take me to your womb. I can't tolerate this atrocities to people and nature in my name”

Soon the place she stood split open and she started sliding down slowly. Mother earth gracefully accepted her into her Womb. Before vanishing she said to the people around

"This is neither worship nor celebration. This is neither love nor affection. All you have done is troubling Nature and fellow beings in my name"