The Park - The Final Part

The story until now…A simple whine resulted in introspection. She was forced to think about things in a totally different light. As she encountered newer situations, she began to realize that the simplicity of life was not as simlple as she wanted it to be. The light began to dawn on her, even as it began to get darker…- - - - - -

They came to another section in the park – the Kids’ Section. He stopped there momentarily. He turned to look at her. She said nothing. Apparently, she had not yet recovered from the previous shock. He turned to look at the park. Kids of various ages were playing on the different amusements the park had to offer. The see-saw, the slide, the merry-go-round and the swing; all of them were occupied.A young boy, aged not more than seven, sat on a bench near one of the swings. He watched the swings go to and fro and laughed in glee, clapping his hands every now and then. It looked like he was egging his brother on, who had occupied the swing.“Why don’t you make that boy try the swings?”

“But he can’t see me!”

“Do you really think so?”

She knew better now than to ask any question. She silently went up to the boy and sat beside him.

The boy had a sunny disposition that could make anyone smile. And she was not an exception. She felt the warmth of his smile and instantly returned it. The boy returned back to egging his brother on.

She made an attempt to strike up a conversation.

“Hi.”

The boy looked at her, unsure of whether to reply. Eventually he did.

“Hi.”

“Why don’t you have a go on the swings?”

“I can’t?”

“Why? Why can’t you?”

“Oh it’s too much trouble getting me on the swing and then getting me off it. I wouldn’t want to spoil the fun. I am better off watching them.”

“Why is that? I don’t think you’re too short. You can easily reach the swing.”

“Oh I am tall enough, alright. But that’s not the reason. It’s this.” He smiled and pointed towards his legs.

She took one look at his legs and realized what she’d just done.

“I am sorry” was all she could manage and she almost ran back to where he was standing.

He said nothing for sometime. They came back to the bench on which she was sitting before and sat once again. It was to be sometime before he spoke in a clear, calm voice.

“Now, do you understand?”

“Yes, I do. And I am sorry. It won’t happen again.”

He smiled at her and she returned it. She stood up and spread her wings. With one smooth push of her feet she was away soaring high, into the sky.

Gabriel looked at the diminishing figure in the sky and sighed.

Well, there had to be one in every lot.