The Joy Of The Bells..... May 3, 2011

"I was bound, but now i'm free. This wind and sea brings me the joy of the bells."

"Joy of the bells?" i culdnt understand what the old man wanted to say.

I was tired from all days work and was on the beach to take in a little fresh air.
My eyes, wandering as usual, caught on this old man, trying to imitate a little girl. I watched for a while, then i couldnt control myself and went up to him.
"sir, may i ask what you are trying to do?"
He turned to me, his eyes were bright and clear, as if of an infant.

"I was bound, but now i'm free. This wind and sea brings me the joy of the bells." he replied.

"sir? i culdnt get you...."  for a moment i thought the man was a gone case.

he smiled. " you see that little girl?" he said in a soft tone.

"yes"

"do you think she's having fun?"

"sure, she looks like she's very happy".

He smiled again. " ok then, tell me how would you decribe her feelings at this point?"

I thought for a moment. " she likes the cool breeze and the water...and.... she is happy?" i replied simply.

Then, he began " My dear, when i was i little boy, i used to get upset on anything and everything and I would start crying. My mother, who was a very caring soul like every mother, would ring a pair of bells in front of me. I liked the sound of the bells so much, that i would stop weeping at once and would start smiling. Those bells used to bring me immense joy when i was a child. the sound of those bells in my mother's hands were like an ointment to my wounds. Sometimes i wonder how such a simple thing can bring  so much happiness to a child. Then i think, it can bring joy only to a child.

The nature is so beautifull, so gracefull, so serene, and so divine. Its divinity can be understood only by a simple soul like that of a child. As we grow, we fill up ourselves with so many thoughts, conceptions, duties and complexities, that we forget about the the simplicity, and innocence of the nature.

I looked at him with my eyes wide open.

he continued" i was trying to imitate the girl so that i could feel that joy she feels. The joy i've forgotten, the joy the bells used to bring to me.

i looked at the girl. She looked so happy, so satisfied. She danced and laughed as if the waves that touched her feet were singing a song, just for her.

For sure she was a free soul. Free from the world, free from evil.
And the waves did bring her the joy of the bells....
 

-Sagarika