It takes roots to weather the storm

Dr. Pushpanjali Badole, mother of Advay Badole, 2D

It takes roots to weather the storm

Someone has rightly said, ‘Change is the only permanent!’ So true…Who had predicted that the world around us would suddenly change so rapidly and a deadly pandemic would grip the world shattering dreams, lives and hopes.
He was just a 5-year-old who wanted to go to school, play and enjoy. He heard from the elders that no one was allowed to go out. What about my school?, he asked! It will be on the laptop he was told. He was excited to see and talk to his friends. So many things he wanted to share. But online school will be boring, he thought. The joy of hanging out with friends, running behind them and sharing the joys will be packed in an electronic device. Lockdown meant that he couldn’t go out, even to meet his friends who lived in the same society. So he was anyways frustrated. But as soon as he joined the new class of 1rst ‘C’, a familiar name appeared on the screen. His joy knew no bounds, “Hi, Omi!” He exclaimed. The names of many of his friend’s appeared on the screen. He could also see them on the screen and talk in between the classes. Teachers were lovely too, praising and encouraging him from time to time. I love online school, Ma, he declared. I’m learning music and drawing too. Slowly it became a routine. The task which seemed difficult earlier was now part of their lives. Children are masters of adaptation, and he adapted beautifully. The bane of not going out turned out to be a boon. Because he started reading lots and lots of books and became an avid reader. At such a young age started playing chess beautifully with grandpa. He started doing yoga with grandma at home to compensate for the missed playtime.
In this pandemic, even though the children are locked but their talent isn’t. Some faced the illness, fought the disease and came out stronger. The children of covid warriors staying away from parents learnt to be independent. There’s so much to learn from these tiny tots. Their resilience from the steepest falls, their cheerfulness despite of gloom everywhere and their ability to mould as per the situation.
Still the little buds will blossom be it wind or rain. That’s why they say that adversity makes us stronger. I’m sure the children who are facing these tough times will come out much stronger than we can imagine, ready to face every storm. Reminds me of Darwin’s quote, ‘It’s not the strongest of species that survives, nor the most intelligent, it is the one most adaptable to change!’

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