Aahaa Chennai

When I was a large tree, a tad taller than the nearest building, people used to walk past, hardly pausing to cast admiring looks at my vast canopy, wide girth or shiny foliage. The rare few who stopped, did so only because they desperately needed a bit of shade. Now... when I've lost my 'green' crowning glory and you find me looking helpless, lying broken by the roadside, hordes of people are stopping to stare at the strange creature in their midst, wondering, if I could be a dinosaur or a dragon while I wallow in silent agony.

When I am longing for that long forgotten, childhood treat, a bowl of popcorn, I come across some 'popcorn lookalikes' clinging to a branch, making me wonder... if a mischievous someone wanting to pull my leg, has deliberately affixed it there. However, being cautious, I decide to go in for the real ones, warm n' crispy stuff, straight from the oven, packed into a bowl. Now and then, these 'popcorn like' pieces from Nature's gallery keep cropping up in my mind... Nature never ceases to amaze.

We consider it a privilege to serve as radiant 'get well soon' gifts for patients... a light hearted touch that relieves the  stresses pervading the sombre environs, bringing a smile into pain ridden eyes which then lightens pale cheeks labouring under a strain. Our cheery demeanour says it all... thinking of you and hoping for your speedy recovery. . Nature's own palliative remedy... A floral endowment.

Your cluster of Tulsi plants regularly update their insect file with new entries adding to the file size. The next morning as the first rays of dawn creep in, a close look tells you that it's time for yet another updation.

A hungry crow is sending a silent message. I'd prefer foraging in a 'daily added' compost heap filled with leaves, kitchen/green waste. I am happy  coz... the worms and bugs are there too. I'd rather not poke my way through heaps of discarded plastic trash, especially those overflowing carry bags, in order to find some edible bits. Please make a note of my preference in your 'to remember' list.

After a bit of hovering, some manoeuvring, a session of showing off, Nature's own aircraft, an exquisite showpiece with eye-stopping structure, has made a green landing. Likely to take off soon.. Happy journey to 'yet unseen' green vistas.

The palette is ready but the colours are mixed up, weaving a changing pattern across a stretchable canvas. Each pattern...a sight to behold giving one a sense of the spiritual, each one unique, prompting you to set aside your cares for a minute, spell binding in its entirety. A graceful shadow remains, amidst the evening glow descending down from the panoramic Western side, as the sun readies for gradual slumber.

The tale of a tree which grew up without much pampering but remained strong, showing steady growth. It all began maybe from a thrown-away seed or bird droppings. Now overloaded with those tennis ball shaped thirst quenchers, the ever popular sweet lime which drop down when ripe, gracing the plates of many including neighbours, who without fail, stop when nearby, glance upwards and with a generous smile count the offerings, of this unassuming giver.

I think 'happiness' is a key 'mantra' to success. It is said... if you love what you are doing, then, that brings happiness which in turn is 'success'. Turning brown patches to green... Photogenic spinach! every bit of a small success counts.

This morning, I find that the number of claimants to my small green kingdom has increased. I may look small but look carefully, I am very strong. Our tribe is growing. I feel I'll get to enjoy a grand feast in this kingdom.  

A 'growing taller by the day' curry leaf plant, I've been reduced to  a flattened pose and cutting a sorry figure after the relentless pounding overnight. I can hear your sad...tch, tch, tch... but the fact of the matter is, I do strongly believe in my powers of resilience. 'Confidence,' is my second name. I can and will  bounce back to  my normal self soon.

When the leaves call it a day, when the blossoms fade away, when the stars spread their dazzling blanket and all is silent except for the noises from television sets, the honking traffic outside. the voices on phones plus the echoing multitude of ringtones and the occasional chirping of insects... Nature unveils surprise treats in pink and white. demolishing the starkness of its dark landscape. The Evening Primrose at 10 pm A Jasmine variety at 8 pm Call us the 'late bloomers' but we can hold our own against the 'morning larks'.

Every cloud has a silver lining. Patience pays off. Smile! All is not lost. There's a sunny side too.

A mesmerising tree sculpture: Nature is conveying a poignant message. You stand... transfixed. The heart-rending message is echoing through forests, villages, urban spaces. It is faint but becoming louder. If you listen carefully... you can hear it. 'Don't fell me...don't, don't,  please.'

In search of that elusive drop of water. Ah! My persistent search has been rewarded. Found just what I needed. A few precious drops nestled inside a nearby leaf. I cannot take my eyes off as they gleam and glisten, under flashes of sunlight, which pours in through gaps in the foliage above. 

Hours after a sudden thunderstorm with an accompanying  loud orchestra in the early hours of the morning, you find your mud pot which is wanting those seeds, overflowing with rainwater and holding some wriggly surprises. Twisting this way and that, slender and  pink, they are eager to explore the secret world deep inside, burrowing their way into the soil. Your skin gets all tingly as you watch them slither and slide their wet n' slimy torsos. The message is clear. The 'Earth friendly' Earthworm family has arrived to enrich your soil. Hungry newborns...making their way to the nearby compost heap where a feast awaits them.

A green celebration: Sprouting forth: A fresh green beginning with the blessings of the Lord.

A range of emotions sweeps across your features when you encounter a wasp. Anger ...when it attacks. Disgust...a feeling of revulsion at its  unfriendly tactics. Fear...when you see it circling around. Happiness....that you've found the right healing stuff in time, the rub of a lemon to relieve the painful sting and resulting soreness. Sadness....that such a tiny creature can pack quite a punch. Surprise...that 'Nature' provides both, the pain as well as the remedy.

A small  blemish does not mar the true charm of artifacts carved out by Nature. Such insignificant blemishes are simply swept away because in the overall picture... innate, natural beauty holds sway.

Some fun moments with shadows to lighten the workload, coz it's  hard work nurturing a seed into a sapling, then to a plant and years later, into a tree. A proper work/play balance fosters Natural equilibrium.

There are times when what you've been hoping for, doesn't happen. All the hard work seems meaningless when hope fizzles out, when expectations are dashed... like when a prized bud whose growth curve you've been following, fails to bloom and just shrivels up. When viewed as a learning experience rather than as a disappointment... a budding inner strength will help tide over the crisis moments.

A mid-morning surprise: A missing visitor, (once known for regular visits), a stunner for sure, has finally decided to make an entry, returning to his favourite tree after many many months. Hiding now and then, wary of noises, disappearing and reappearing after an interval of days all he/she asks for... a bit of 'compassion' when wandering outdoors. 'No stone throwing, please,' is the silent plea from this watchful chameleon while striking a pose. 'A childish prank,  it hurts,' is the fervent whisper  on behalf of the rest of the clan. See you later... I'm off to a nearby wall for a bit of sunbathing.