MILESTONES 2015-16

Infancy, Childhood, Youth, Middle age, Old age; these are different stages of
life. God is very pleased with you as, at this young age you are responsible
and polite in your behaviour. So God decided to grant you a boon to choose
any one phase that you will have forever. Why?
I was in my backyard ‘de-weeding’ it (the process of removing weeds is known as de-weeding)
and piling the weeds in a corner.
It was a pretty hot day and the sun was right above my head. I stopped for some time to
catch my breath. Then in the space of a few seconds a huge ‘BOOM!’ took place. The sweet
swinging of a Cuckoo was heard and a cool breeze was blowing and then I had a queer feeling
of somebody standing, but warmth radiating, when I looked up,………….
I saw GOD! But I didn’t fall to my knees, instead I was gazing at her. She had an aura of
affection and happiness around her. She spoke in a soothing voice and at once the pain of deweeding
vanished, “Child you have been a responsible one for the 11 years you walked on this
Earth. So, I decided to grant you immortality in the form of a certain stage of life. I will come
once you have made your decision.” And in an instant the blazing sun had made a re-entry
and the hot wind was blowing again.
I continued de-weeding thinking about the goddesses’ words.
I pondered… “Infancy, childhood, youth, middle age and… old age” which one to choose?
The gears in my mind slowly began to move while my hands were de-weeding.
Should I be an infant forever? Of course I would be pampered beyond reason and all I’ve to
do is cry, sleep and eat. I don’t need to burn the midnight oil for exams nor do I have to stress
myself. But who will look after me for their whole lives? And it would be quite disappointing
to know I would never grow up.
Child for life. Stay 7? I get to play with buddies and not much study. But wouldn’t I just be
well… a child? Considered childish and to immature for making important decisions? And
same class for whole life? No way!
Youth? We get to see adult movies and go to college with friends and have sleepovers. But
isn’t there a saying, “No freedom is absolute”? That also means loads of exams to put up with
and I don’t think it’s great to stay immortal for life burning the midnight oil for exams. Nope,
not youth.
Probably not middle age. There of course the prospect of ‘independent living’ and being in
charge of yourself and your income. But a family and stress of job? Definitely, this family and
job does pose much of a problem- but won’t they grow up to leave me? And assignment for
life?Maybe… not.
Old age? Well we can live in a quaint cottage tucked in the mountains and receive a monthly
pension. But doesn’t that mean numerous health problems and the always underestimation.
Probably not........
The goddess appeared. She asked me my decision. I stayed quiet for some time. She questioned
me again. My reply was ready, “Goddess I don’t want this boon, I think a person shouldn’t be
immortal especially just in a stage of life, and I believe we should live to the fullest zenith of
life and experience all the up’s and down’s on our path and enjoy the fruits of life.
The goddess smiled sweetly and left.
“TRRRRRRINGGGGG” rang the alarm on my bedside cabinet the tenth time.
I woke up and remembered with a jolt I had to de-weed my backyard. Then I
recalled the dream I had. It was wonderful.
Rajeshwari Ananya Gudepu, Grade VII Equators
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