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The most fascinating and captivating memories of my childhood are the evening walk I went with my dad. My dad's projects usually were in jungles, so my fondness for the woods was quite natural. The sights imbibed in my memory are the fresh oxygen-filled air, the chirping birds, the sound of a running river, and the sky painted in orange. My mind can't afford to forget it. Every evening it was the norm of my dad to take me out on a long walk. As we proceeded, the sound of rustling dried leaves under our feet seemed like music played by nature. He would hold my finger, and we would go towards the riverbed. Since it was a restricted area, hardly a few people were found walking. Dad always made a point to teach me something new and revise all his lessons during our walk so that they were engraved in my innocent mind.

He would make me sit on a rock beside the gushing water and ask me to watch the setting sun. It looked marvelous as it melted drop by drop in the flowing water. The entire river turned orange-red color. The sight was mesmerizing every time I watched it. Every day it looked new and enchanting.

Along with the scenic beauty, my dad also taught me many lessons about life. Since I was very young then, I understood a few of them, and a few passed over my head, but I remembered all. Today I can relate each one of his lessons as though they are as clear as crystal. I want to share a few of them which can make a difference in anybody's life.

He would say, "My child, can you see the setting sun? Can your eyes capture it?" I would innocently say, "yes, papa. It's just wonderful. I love to watch it. I can very easily stare at it." He would smile at me and ask," could you see that same sun at mid-noon?" I would say, "of course not, papa. It was too bright. No one can see". He would then continue," my baby, life is like this. When you are at the zenith, don't be arrogant and self-centered such that people can't bear you. Remember, when you reach the zenith, you should be extra loving and mild. It would be best if you were compassionate because after that starts the decline. So never aim to reach the zenith, instead take pleasure and joy in reaching the zenith in the ascend. Ascending is learning, and you should always be a student in this life. Always try to learn something new. If you get saturated in the learning process and think you have acquired fundamental knowledge, the decline starts. You will start growing weak in your concepts and will start losing respect in other's eyes. Then everybody will stare at you with pity. Never come to that stage.

He would say," My doll, do you see that tree filled with fruits?" I would nod, and he would continue, " observe it well. It is permanently bent. It's never erect. The weight of the fruit has made it bend down. A person with knowledge is like that tree. He is very timid and humble, and down to earth. He is never arrogant. Arrogance is the sign of emptiness. A tree filled with fruits will be thrown stones at and given pain. It bears it.

Similarly, knowledge and understanding will give you the power to endure all the pain and humiliation. Your silence is the best answer to people who try to insult you. It's better to remain silent than argue with a fool."

After enjoying the dusk for a while, he would then hold my finger and walk back home and tell me," my sweetie, see after day is the night n after night is the day. This is the way of life. No one will enjoy happiness forever. There will be hard times in life. But remember, when the going gets tough, the tough get going. After the darkest part of the night starts the silver lining of the day. So never surrender to the hardship in life. Always face them with courage and bravery. You are always a soldier in this journey of life. Always be optimistic. Always find a positive attitude to face the worse. Remember, a winner finds a solution to every problem, and a loser finds a problem in every solution. Accept challenges with a smile and an attitude to win over them. With the right attitude, half of the battle is won. "

When I looked at him perplexed, he would smile and say, "My darling, I know you are too young to understand. But always remember what I am saying. You will understand it as you grow up. You are my lifeline, but still, your dad can't guarantee to be with you always. If ever I leave you and go away for good, never panic or give up. Lead life with courage and a smile. We all have to set one day as the setting sun."

As our walk continued, we would always come across a destitute woman with a child in her arms sitting under a tree. Dad would ask me to hand over my extra lollipop to him. He would give some money to her. I would look at him very much unpleasant and unwilling. He would kiss my forearm and say, " honey, never be greedy. What you have is what the Almighty thinks you deserve the best. If you want a happy life, which no money can buy, always give. Believe in charity. Please give to the needy and don't ever boast about it. Always be satisfied. A happy life is a best and happiest life. A happy life starts with being grateful to God for whatever He has given us. Be grateful. Never complain. What you have is what others may be craving. Thank Him heartily for his precious gifts.

At times, my dad and I would race. Sometimes I won, and sometimes he. When he won, he would laugh at me and continue,

"Take care of your health. If health is lost, something is lost, but preserve your character because if the character is lost, everything is lost. A healthy body is the house of good thoughts."

Before we reached home, we would cross a worship place. He would ask me to always believe in the Supreme Power which is ruling us. We are mere puppets in His hands. So don't take tension and always ask for help from Him. He will help you. He was true. I never understood anything then. But the discipline and the manners he engraved in me have shaped me into what I am today-- A confident brave woman.

I love you, dad, and miss you a lot. And your lessons will always remain with me till I meet you again and we rise again as the rising sun.