I met with a fledgling of Fire on my walk back to home, it was beautiful and fragile in all ways possible. I could not but admire the young, unguarded little fledgling; for it was an Amber in a dark deep cave, he was there alighting his own small world, a star amidst the vastness.
I thought what chaos can it be, what catastrophe can it bring; such a young spark of fire can only be a thing of beauty, elixir to all life on earth; so I took it in to my arms, to protect it from the first rains, walked away from the road in to the woods.
I didn't know then that darkness can be broken by the smallest of light, great sorrow can be drowned in a child's innocent smile.
With the best of my intents to protect it, I found a tree hollow where I thought my fledgling of fire can rest and live, I did not think I can protect it from the harsh winds on my way back, so there it stayed, and I half-heartedly walked towards the road and on to my house.
The dawn had not break and I hurried myself to gather my wood. I thought I can check on my curious little friend.
I didn't know then; I didn’t know now;
He is not a fledgling anymore, not fragile as ever.
From a great distance I could see smoke arising, my stride quickened as did my pounding heart. I didn't want to believe what had happened, but as I had feared the forest had come down in ashes and the flames still stood to the clouds through the night. The Great forest had come down so there can be new life.
He is not a fledgling of fire anymore, nor is he delicate.
What difference does it make if it’s a fledgling or a blaze; its heart the same, a spark is a spark.
#Bharathi #Translation
#MyTake
-Balaganesh Narayanan
