The Calyx covers the bud and when the bud blossoms into a flower the flower hides the sepals of the calyx behind it.
Tis is a paradox. The sepals of calyx are essential to protect the petals till they are ready to open. Once the flower is open, the calyx recedes to the background. The Chinese proverb says, when the fish is caught the trap is forgotten..
I have traced the way the sepals of the calyx recede to allow the flower petals to open fully. The sepals which covered the flower petals in the bud now give way for the flower to fully open !
I remember a surgical trainee under Dr Frank Garlick at CMC Vellore telling me once that once Dr Garlick demonstrated a surgical procedure to a trainee a few times, Dr Garlick takes the role of an assistant sometimes becoming a second assistant ! I felt fascinated by this change of role.
A Neurologist who helped me to learn some essentials of the Electrographical tracing of brain activity (EEG) took a back seat by encouraging me to observe, study and make a report, which he supervised. Later he would say, when learning advances, the teacher too fades away. That sounded complex at that time.
Actually a relay runner takes over from where the earlier runner, who finished the lap and left the track.
The temporariness of our roles comes alive through such situations.
Parenting is one biological function which parents offer to growing up children ! Once children become adults the roles change. The children return to offer support to parents. The reversal of roles in this situation is a complimentary function.
The sepals let go of their function when the flower is ready to open!
The gift wrapper is needed till the gift is opened!
This is a message to suggest that our roles and functions are only enabling in role as long as it is needed!
That reminds us from developing an imposing or controlling possessive attitude in our relationships!
M.C.Mathew(text and photo)
No comments:
Post a Comment