Green Earth

The little girl with red pins in her hair was roaming around gathering some tiny seeds fallen on the ground. She used to pick the seeds and put them in a small box she had with her. All the other kids in the garden were busy playing on the swings, the see-saws, the merry go rounds. Some were just running around playing tag, others were playing catch with balls. I sat on the bench, looking curiously at the girl. "Raisha.. Come, let's go!" An elderly voice on my left called out and the girl stopped her activity and looked in the direction of the voice. "Coming Dadaji!" she chimed, collecting a few more seeds, before setting off in the direction of the bench besides mine. I looked on and smiled at her grandfather. My little baby was happily trotting in the soft green grass and I sat on the bench, one eye on him and the other taking in the surrounding activity. It was my first day in the park, my baby boy had just started walking and I thought it would be a good time to start taking him to the park. Grandpa looked at me and then my boy. He just smiled, took Raisha's hand and they walked away. 

The next day, I arrived a little late, but my bench was empty. Me and baby settled down. I kept the heavy baby bag on the bench, picked him out of the pram and set him on the fresh green grass. He gigled happily and started clapping, before setting off. Just as I sat down, I again heard yesterday's elderly voice, "Raisha, come let's go!" I looked at the tree line and found yesterday's little girl, wearing pink ribbons today, collecting seeds in her little box. as she ran towards the two of us. Grandpa smiled again at me, and the two of them walked away hand in hand. 

This routine continued for almost 5 days. I used to come to the park. Grandpa would sit on the bench next to mine. Raisha would be collecting seeds, while all other children would play happily. Nor once did she try to play on any of the playthings or talk to the other children. As soon as her grandpa called, she would stop collecting the seeds and walk home with him. Finally, on the 6th day, I gathered courage and introduced myself to grandpa. He was a very gentle man and talked with fatherly love. He asked me the baby's name and even played with him a little. I wanted to desperately ask him about Raisha's activity, but in the fear of sounding rude, I kept my mouth shut. The next day being a weekend, I did not come to the park, since the baby's daddy took us out. 

I could barely wait till Monday evening. On Monday, I went to the park a little early. Raisha and her grandfather were nowhere to be seen. So, I waited impatiently. In some time, I saw them walk hand in hand through the gate and I breathed a sigh of relief. I waited for grandpa to settle on his usual place. Today he whistled at the baby, and the baby started waddling towards him. I smiled as I followed the baby. After some polite small talk, I said "Bauji, can I ask you something?" He chuckled and said "Bolo beta", to which I blurted out the question I had in my head, since almost the whole week! " I have been observing Raisha for a week. I find it very surprising that this little girl just comes to the park, gathers some seeds and leaves as soon as you call her. She doesn't want to play or run around like the other kids do. She also never asks for more time. Why is it so?" I said it all in one breath. "I knew you wanted to ask me this. I have been seeing you observing Raisha," Grandpa said to my utter embarrassment. Then he started speaking in a strained voice. 

"Last month, we lost Raisha's grandmom, my dear Savita, to cancer. She had been sick for a long time. Raisha was very attached to her grandmother. Savita was very fond of gardening. She came from the hilly regions of the Nilgiris. She had grown in the shadows of the deciduous and evergreen trees- sandalwood, eucalyptus, salwood, teak. She loved those trees like her own brothers. But as time passed, it pained Savita to see the trees being cut down one after the other. Everytime, she visited her native place, she could feel the difference. She used to return all melancholy.

When her condition started worsening, Raisha started getting very upset. Raisha was very close to her, and Savita's illness was taking a toll on Raisha's childhood. Savita, though bed ridden, had begun noticing the changes in Raisha's mood. One day, Savita called Raisha and told her "Rau, I won't be here with you for very long. But, don't be sad. I have to go to God's home. He needs me." Raisha stared crying, and hugging Savita, she said, "Even I need you Dadi. Even I need you." Savita consoled Raisha and said "Listen Raisha, I will always be looking down at you from heaven. And every time you feel like meeting me, you just sow a seed in the ground. Water the seed every day, till the time the seed turns into a tree and reaches your height. When that happens, just hug the tree and you will feel like I am with you." Raisha's eyes shone at this. "Every time I sow a seed, you will come to meet me Dadi? " She asked innocently as all our eyes filled with tears. A few days later, Savita breathed her last. After that day, Raisha brings me to this park, gathers the seeds fallen from those trees. She then takes me to the small hill way over there. She sows all the seeds on the hill and then we go home."

As I heard Raisha's seed story, I had tears in my eyes. The love between the grandma and little Raisha had moved me. In search of her grandma, Raisha was making the world more beautiful! I hope grandma is smiling upon Raisha as she fulfills her dream of a green earth! 

© GG