It has been more than a week since he has arrived at this place. His initial enthusiasm was settling by now.
He was into his new routine. The bell would wake him up along with the other boys, unlike the voice of his mother that used to be a morning alarm for him and he would not get up until the reminder call was made by his father, who in his harsh and scolding tone, would ensure that he gets out of his blanket without further reminders. Lo! And he would always.
The morning routine followed and he joined the prayer. In cross-legged lotus position, he sat. He wasn’t used to sitting like this for he has been more of a player and running came naturally than sitting to him. He closed his eyes to meditate, he couldn’t.
His eyes suddenly got a glimpse of the calendar. It was 20th today: Durgashtami. His mind couldn’t synchronize with the words of the Master. He was at his home as if. The morning and evening prayer of home echoed in his heart. The bhog of halwa, puri and channa made him remind of his mother.
She has shared with him when they had talked last time. The face of his mother came in front of his eyes, somehow he got hold of himself and completed his prayers. “Have faith” these words reverberated in his mind and heart in between the words of the Master. Did the Master speak or his mother? He wasn’t able to surmise. It was strange to his senses, yet he believed in the words.
The prayer was completed and then he joined the group to get the logs from the woods. It was nearby and he always loved going out in nature for he had been an explorer. Nature, its beauties and bounties, flora and fauna always allured him. A new leaf, dews on the grass, a petal of rose, butterflies and bees making their buzz always captured him.
Marching when they were near a pond amidst the woods, he observed rustling of leaves and something coming out of it, they stood breathless thinking of some danger, a snake may be. While there was fear, there was eagerness also to see what it was for they have always been told by their other group members of their encounter with snakes, leeches, bears and varied other species.
They waited for it to come out. Maintained some distance to avoid any danger.
And then it came out slowly- a greenish turtle.
Immediate memories of the past came alive to him. A day he had spent at a shop. Somehow this turtle made him wonder with awe at nature and how human beings evolved. How each species has its beauty and uniqueness, he had realized that day after spending hours with the turtle in the shop. Sensitive, when he touched the head, the turtle withdrew the head and legs within. The hard surface at the top was intricate with delicate patterns. It could roll and stay still. It looked lifeless, yet there was life within.
“And then he sat beside the turtle, still.”
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