"HELLO, YOU ARE SO AMAZING..."

Every material thing,

Around me,

Is relative in value!

Everything looks pale, worn-out and outdated

As Time passes by.

And, many a times,

Even Time is not required to make things

Look pale, worn-out and outdated…

My mind is enough!

The cell-phone that I use

Is just an ordinary Nokia one.

The other day, I asked a student of mine:

“Where can I change its battery?”

“What battery sir,” the young one shouted,

“Change your phone; buy a Blackberry…

You can afford one.”

For a while, I hid my embarrassment.

Then, I murmured in my mind,

“Dear, my son has one…

The one better than yours.”

Then, feeling strongly for it,

I grumbled in my heart,

“But, dude, ‘I’ paid for it…

I pay its monthly bills, too.”

I can afford a Blackberry or an i-Phone.

Yes, I can.

But, do I ‘need’ one?

This Nokia can take care of my needs;

My life goes smoothly

Without a Blackberry or an i-Phone.

The man next to me is fair and handsome;

I know I am not as fair or as handsome as he is.

“Come on! Somebody change me…

Make me as fair and lovely!”

I have long stopped crying like this.

Michael Jackson did…

I won’t;

I am okay with this look – Whatever you call it.

The young man there keeps changing his cars -

With the hope that the new one will not die…

Sad, it does!

Christmas is coming…

I just returned from the Raymond showroom.

Every piece the salesman showed me

Looked pale before the one he showed me next…

The next one was different, better… the latest!

Finally, I had to shut my eyes somewhere.

I did end up buying a trouser and a shirt…

But, let me tell you this:

Even before I have worn it,

It has started looking pale, already!

There are so many outfits - out there,

In that Raymond showroom…

I just did not see them all…

I left them behind...

I could’ve gone for a different one -

A better one, the one that would last…

Maybe, for ever!

My mind knows,

There are a hundred ‘brands’ in this world

Far better than even Raymond.

But, my heart consoles:

Raymond is fine… Be happy; be happy!

Some feel shy

To show their cell-phones,

And some their spouses;

Some feel shy

To drive their Maruti’s,

And some their passions;

Some feel shy

To walk with their parents,

And some,

With their own shadows!

For this Christmas, I need a trouser and shirt,

The blazer, I already have;

The old Nokia will not let me down

When I will wish my dear ones:

"Merry Christmas".

Baby Jesus was born in a manger…

He was a carpenter’s son.

I have a strong feeling:

The Brand of my cell-phone or trouser

Will not make this Christmas any different…

A manger can’t be a mansion

Even if try to I build it with gold!

This morning, I called up my loving mom

Who lives in my hometown.

“Hello Putha (son),” she cried with all her love.

She did not ask me:

“Which phone are you using?”

A Blackberry had nothing to do it…

Our hearts had!

And, last night, when I was about to retire,

I received this loving message:

“Sir, I just read your Blog…

I feel so good, so peaceful.

Thank you…

Sir, you are so amazing!”

This dear, dear student of mine

Has dozens of friends

And she is an all-rounder, in true sense.

But, she has been using

The most ‘basic’ phone

One could ever lay his hands on!

“Thank you dear,” I replied in a flash,

“You made my day… I love you.”

Nor did I ask this little soul:

“Which phone did you use?”

Yes, to ‘mean’ what she said:

“Sir, you are so amazing!”

GERALD D'CUNHA

THANKS:

The brilliant images used in this Post are by Ashok Ahuja. He is a professional Photographer and a very dear friend of mine. He is also one of the founder members of The Dawn Club, and, along with his gifted-artist wife, Sudha, has been helping me, and the Club, right from its inception.