English Literature – Articles – ☆ Parent’s shadow☆ – Captain Pravin Raghuvanshi, NM

Captain Pravin Raghuvanshi, NM

(We are extremely thankful to Captain Pravin Raghuvanshi Ji for sharing his literary and artworks with e-abhivyakti. An alumnus of IIM Ahmedabad, Capt. Pravin has served the country at national as well international level in various fronts. Presently, working as Senior Advisor, C-DAC in Artificial Intelligence and HPC Group; and involved in various national-level projects.

We present an English Version of Shri Sanjay Bhardwaj’s Hindi poem “माता पिता के साये में “ published in today’s ☆ संजय दृष्टि – माता पिता के साये में . ☆ We extend our heartiest thanks to Captain Pravin Raghuvanshi Ji for this beautiful translation. )

☆ Parent’s shadow ☆

After an early morning walk in the park, I sat under a tree near it’s trunk to do some exercise. During one of the exercises, I looked up towards the sky. I was dazed to see the height of the trees. About 70 to 80 feet tall trees with a dense canopy of leafy shade, with cool breeze around which accentuated the salubrious environment. A thought occurred that parents too are like trees only! Always shielding with their ubiquitous presence overtly or covertly.

Though we see them as much as the trunk of the tree, and not their humongous towering presence always enveloping us. We often consider their existence stumpy and dwarf. But, to realise this huge comforting shadow, you’ll have to look up high, open your eyes wide-open. In order to give us shade, we have to understand the unending struggle of the leaves constantly moving towards the sun to protect us from the biting sun. Unfortunately, whenever the shadow is no more, we get to know the importance of it being on our head!

… realised how abhorrent we are that we cannot even keep our neck skyward long enough to admire these trees as our neck starts paining.

…. May God keep this shadowy protective cover for a long-long time on all … After bowing down to the trunk of the tree and offering obeisances, I returned home to the ever-soothing shadow of my mother…