Correction

Yesterday a colleague of mine and I were discussing deep philosophy about life. I was trying to remember some joke to relax him. He was referring to some mistakes he thought he had done in past, which is still affecting his life.

Cut to a story I remembered.

There was a ship sailing. It was destined to reach Chennai in India. The captain was a very wise and old man. A freshman sailor was also in the crew, who was given responsibility of keeping the close eye on ship's direction at night, when most of the crew would retire to sleep. He was told to use the compass to do his job, and any change was to be reported to captain immediately.

Few weeks later, the ship reached near the land. Captain observed that it wasnt Chennai exactly. They found later it wasnt India at all. They had reached Sri Lanka. Immediately captain ordered entire crew on the deck. And started to find the cause of such enormous mistake. When he finished most of the crew with questioning, he suddenly remembered the fresh sailor for the night duty. He went to him and asked, "Was there any change in the needle of the compass?"
The sailor said, "No". Captain asked again, "Wasnt there even a small change in the needle direction?"

"Oh Yes", sailor remembered, "But it was just a fraction. It was not even changed to next smallest degree mark in the compass."

"Son, that small fraction has cost us more than 500 miles. Had you reported me that fraction of change in direction we would have corrected it the next day. Even it was small at the time in the direction of our destination, in the due time now you see, has put us far far away from our destination."

Back to our discussion, isnt it that we ignore small change which may distract us from our original destination? Since we ignore, we dont plan to correct it at proper time. And by the time we realize we might have reached Sri Lankan shores.

I love short stories, it takes away pain of consoling friends !

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She was She

My Love,

This is the first time in our 10 years of life together that I have picked up a pen to write to you. And that too now, when we are no longer together. We spent ten long years together! Very few such relations last so long these days. And I am glad we did.

I still remember the day when I first saw you. I was with my father in the market. And you were standing in that big store of our town. I didn’t know what you were looking at, but you were looking straight in one direction undisturbed by the gazes of almost everyone who were passing from there. That image of yours was captured in my heart forever. From the moment I laid my eyes on you, I was sure that you were the one. Soon I came to know that you were a relative of that big store owner. And I started planning to de-relate you from him and make you a part of my family. I was not sure if you even noticed me then, but was sure you would someday soon. From that day I started praying God every night to roll the things in our favor.

When I first mentioned you at home, not everybody was happy. Papa was OK but mom was reluctant. May be she was hesitated by the thought of expenditure for our possible union especially when she came to know that the big store owner was your relative. But slowly I was able to convince her. Rest of the arrangements with your parents went very smoothly. And to my parent’s and somewhat mine surprise, the store owner uncle played a very positive role for that. Do you remember during all these days we could manage to meet only at the store and I didn’t know much about you. I was very curious but there was no way. The store owner uncle (I really keep forgetting his name. You know that I am weak at all this) would not allow you to come out with me.

Finally after 2 months the day came, when you became part of our family. God had really rolled out the things pretty fast. You remember how my mom and sister welcomed you. How that Shweta auntie and other neighbors were peeping in to have a look at you. They couldn't believe the amount we spent on the event. (My mom kept telling them.) But there you were, entering our home with me as gorgeous as you were when I first saw you. May be more.

In those few days I was not sure whether I was living my life with you or roaming in some dreamland. We couldn't go out to some far place immediately, but we made it by going on long rides everyday in the evening. Do you remember we used to go visit my friends and I am sure many of them were jealous of you being with me. And sometimes I enjoyed that.

We both were young and had to make it in our life. I had to travel to this new city far away from our home. I promised to get you there as soon as possible. But that soon came only after 2 years. You never complained. Many times I couldn't go out with you despite promises, because of my new job. Every evening when I got back from work, I would find you as I left you in the morning, smiling. Many times I promised myself to go for a short ride with you after dinner every night, but like many of my other promises they never got fulfilled.

They say you realize someone's value, after someone leaves you. I don't know about others, but that's exactly what has happened to me. Now that you are not with me, and this time I think forever, I miss you a lot. A lot. I know now it’s too late from my side to save the relation, but dear bicycle I miss you a lot. I know you might not have been willing to depart from me, but its God’s will. May be the person who stole you from my home needs you more than I do. I hope and am confident that you will serve your new master well. Give me a smile if you see me somewhere on the road. You are my first love and will always remain.

*Based on a true incident.