A Cherished Memory

Thirty Five Years Back

(Part-1)

A Cherished Memory

P K Routray

A lovely mongoose

moving from bush to bush

crossing a muddy unpaved road

caring a fig to the then sparing traffic load

in search of food, drinks and to rest, a place

also to spend time with members of its race,

a treat it was to watch daily by me as a recreation

relieving me of my day to day worries and tension.

Adding to this scintillating sight of the innocent creature

with its dynamic agility, unique characteristics and feature

there is a faith that its sight on the way

brings good luck  to the passing passersby.

Such faith was inbuilt in me by my ancestors’ tale

proving it by citing umpteen examples they did prevail.

Superstitious they are, surely you may laugh at them

but when hard work, sincerity fail, some providence you blame.

But such beliefs give man light of hope to battle not to concede,

rather with confidence and courage he gets inspired to succeed.

Hence I longed to see it daily on my way to my work place.

Seeing it on my way I used to feel as if I had got the divine grace.

with confidence of success, elated at heart I used to proceed.

Any apprehensions and fear of of failure in me used to recede

My love for the mongoose thus increased day by day

It carved its place in my heart cherished even today.

It was a meager beast of forest to the human society

from its group hardly I can recognize it with certainty

but still its memory till date is my priceless treasure

forcing me to forget on it the man inflicted torture.

With a sigh of grief and guilty, I pray the Almighty

“Let its soul rest in peace excusing the selfish humanity.”

(Based on a real story.

Bhubaneswar, the capital of the state of Odisha, India was coming up and expanding on forest lands where some lands were converted to home state land with due care but some miscreants in anticipation built many mansions expecting conversion at a later date without taking care of living forest creatures like mongoose, rabbits, jackals ets in bushes. Here is the first part of my memory on my love for a mongoose. I hope to complete my feelings as felt today on a mongoose from thirty five years down the memory lane in another two parts.)