It was the month of June and the rainy season had already begun. It was also the time when the new school year begins. Eight year old Chandu used to walk to school with his Mum and everyday they passed by this pond brimming with lotuses in full bloom. He had never seen a lotus pond this closely and would wonder if he could go and may be pick a couple of lotuses. The other children in his class would get flowers for his teacher sometimes. This was perfect he thought, his teacher Miss Brenda would love the flowers and may be even appreciate his gesture if she knew they were handpicked.
When he shared his idea with his Mum the reply was a stern NO. She explained that it's not so easy to get to the lotuses and there is a good chance he might even get stuck in the swampy rut. Its very difficult to get things out of that muck and that its like quicksand if he were to step into it he will go lower than expected. Chandu simply thought it was a grown up story she was making to keep him away. After all how difficult can it be? The flowers are sooo close he need not even step in the muck and get his feet dirty. He was sure he could reach them if he could only stretch out a little bit. There was just one problem - his Mum would no way let him even try. He had to devise a plan.
Few days later he woke up earlier than usual and got ready much before time. His Mum wondered what had gotten into her otherwise slumber-boy whom she had to coax to get out of bed. When asked he excitedly replied that he was eight years old and was confident he could walk to school on his own. He tried his best to sound honest and was able to convince her. He happily set off to put his plan into action. He thought he would tell his Mum of this little adventure once he returns home and prove to her that he was able t get the flowers and without hassles.
When he arrived at pond he scanned the bank and saw that none of the flowers were close enough for him to reach without stepping in. He had decided he would get the flowers and had woken up early and convinced his mother. There was no way he would possibly proceed further without his prize. He decided he would go in. He moved a step closer to the pond - he had never been this close to it before - and he put his left foot in. The cold sluggish mud felt yucky against his foot and he realised the ground was not as solid as he assumed it to be. Mother was right but now he could not back out, he was just one step away from the lotuses. Next the right foot went in, he reached out and pulled out five lotuses. He was very much pleased with his achievement as he thought that was a cake walk.
He turned around and stepped out right leg first and realised the slipper was missing off his foot. He stepped back in to find his slipper and dug his foot in the swamp only to feel more muck. The slipper was nowhere, he started to panick and tried to first get himself out. Mums words were now ringing in his ears and he was scared. He managed to step out of the pond but sans his slippers. He could not go to school without them. The lotuses he was holding now seemed worthless, he threw them back in the water and started walking towards home. He was afraid but wasn't sure what was worse - his mothers wrath since he did not listen or that he had lost his slippers and was now walking home barefoot.
He realised the people coming from the opposite direction were awkwardly staring at him because he looked like a poor little lost kid - dressed in uniform and backpack on his shoulders with naked muddy feet and a sad look on his face. He felt weak and dejected and could not believe he had actually thrown away the lovely flowers that he had picked. One recurring thought in his mind - his mother was right, only if he had listened.
Awesome!
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