The flowers above brought a colourful look to our front garden yesterday although it was raining heavily at night !
Seeing the vigour and aliveness of these flowers withstanding the heavy rain fall, a story that I read came to my mind giving me a message of the nature's message to humankind!
In the book, The Gardener, by Grian, there is a story of The Old Live Tree, which the gardener noticed with its stump in the hill. He grieved over the thoughtless way, someone had cut a tree much older than himself !
"Some time later, the gardener passed by that place again and found to his delight that new shoots had appeared from the sides of the stump, growing towards the sky with arrogant vigour. The gardener smiled and mused about the arrogance of man, who sees himself as the owner of the world which does not belong to him; and over the bold defiance of life, capable of restoring itself time and again, contrary to the obstinate and malicious intention of human. Stroking the tender shoots of the old Olive, he whispered: 'There exists a stronger will than that of men. Who old Olive tree, can triumph over your will power and desire to live' "?
I wonder how much more can anyone be more thoughtless than President Donald Trump or Prime Minister Netanyahu who think that they can 'destroy' Iran and make that country weaker! Are they not following the footsteps of one ruler who thought like this and was responsible for the second word war! I have similar thoughts when the national government in India who used police action to suppress the protest of students pleading for fair process in conducting national examination like the NEET ! Who can triumph over the natural urge to live and overcome any adversity which resilient students carry within! Why is that no spokesperson of the government expresses grief and regret over students who suffered injury and are in hospitals after they were beaten and shot at with pellet guns!
The flowers above brought cheer amidst the gloom that I have been feeling during the last few days.
The president of the USA glorifies himself in the personal wealth he has amassed during this war; the prime minister of Israel boasts about 'eliminating terrorists'; the ruling disposition in India watches the farmers and students protesting in the streets of New Delhi, but do not feel to hear the message of their grief!
These leaders of nations upon whom the electorate of those nations reposed faith turn their attention to selfish personal pursuit. It grieves us beyond measure. We feel even more helpless, when the watchdog for peace, the United Nations Organisation ceases to be proactive to pursue peace and conciliation!
The story of humankind does not end because these leaders or the UNO fail to be custodians of peace and goodwill on earth!
The voice of grief and pain is far more impactful than the authority these leaders use to subdue them!
None of the flowers above look withered or drenched! They are colourful, fragrant and resilient, although appear to be fragile!
I heard of the story of a lady with Spinal Muscular Dystrophy in her third decade, with scoliosis and contractures in the body, functioning well from a wheel chair and work in an office after having finished her post graduate qualifications ! She is hurting with limitations bodily, but is an overcomer to give a message to us that life overcomes adversity!
Blessed are those who are engaged in taking sides of the weak and the marginalised because, when they are restored they shall become pathfinders for others!
M.C.Mathew(text and photo)
