ME ... My Friend!

I'm posting another fiction that I wrote exactly 5yrs ago...20-Feb-2006

ME … my Friend

It was not for the first time he was reading this immortal letter from his grandfather, which was written years back. But each time he read it, he knew there was something new always there for him to learn & bring in a new realization. “Action speaks louder than words” might be true, but far from these words was the latest addition to his realization. The letter read…

Dear son,

I’m fine and I know you are not ok. That’s the reason I’m writing this letter. And, I’m sure you’ll feel better on reading this. Don’t think I’m not there to talk to you at this moment. I know the importance you’ve given me in your life and both of us know that we are good friends in spite of all the generation gap time has left between us.

This is the story of a friend who turned a foe…

You know that I’m a retired Professor today, but the day I was born I didn’t have an identity; still, there were many who had come happily to see me. There will be many who come to visit us on our Birthday & all that they consider us would be as a son or daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Tom, Dick or a Harry! As we grow up, we are taught to make our own way and strive for existence. We being social animals make too many friends, with very few close friends. Sooner or later, we realize there is one closest friend with whom we hide nothing, even if we ever want to. This, even I realized & I was happy with my friend, whom I called ‘me’.

I was asked to become independent and grow in life, “make an identity for myself, like others” - such a paradox I thought! The journey that was not easy had begun. But, this new found friend of mine seemed to be there listening to me always.

As days passed by, we started getting closer and my friend ‘me’ became a very important aspect of my life. I started calling him ‘ME’.

“Without ‘ME’, there could be nothing”, I thought. There were times when this friend of mine was deceived and hastily let down by others. But as I had grown up quite old with ‘ME’, I never let down this friend whatsoever. I became such extra-cautious and overprotective, that my friend got lot more pampering and he misused my faith.

He knew that I was rich and started asking for more. Though there were thousands in the town who slept with empty bellies, he demanded to go out for a wine! He knew that I was smart; when there were others who genuinely needed my help, he didn’t allow me help anyone else… not unless there was something better out of it for him!

 

Years and decades later one night, the same night of my retirement day, I was relaxing with this friend whose new role was that of a dictator.  

I realized that all the disrespect and carelessness and a hostile house (which was a contrast to what it was years back) were all the gifts I had received, thanks to my friend ‘ME’. I had a big fight with him and parted ways with him. I no more have this friend with me.

[A friend can’t be a dictator; if he’s one then he’s your biggest foe.]

Son, my closest friend today is you & I’m happy to believe that you see me as your close friend too. I wouldn’t be happy if you see ‘ME’ as your closest friend.     

Always yours,

Grandpa.

He folded the letter and as always, it rested beneath his pillow. “If there was one thing we could ever give our upcoming generations, it would be this letter of my grandpa”, he thought. At least then they’ll realize that each one of them is as minute as a dewdrop on the green leaf which thinks it’s because of the sunshine it reflects, the world shines.