Long Walk

I read Nelson Mandela’s Long Walk to Freedom back in 2000. His story in the Robben Island invoked my sentiments. In the one hand, I was saddened for his inner turmoil and, on the other hand, I asked myself, Do I ever walk to a tree, even in my yard, to look at the beauty of a flower, let alone a leaf? Do I ever appreciate my freedom to walk, see, listen, and be close to nature?

It became my ritual to walk routinely – short walks during the workdays and long walks on weekends. During these walks in light of Mandela’s life story, I began to contemplate on many things.

I think of my mother who was bedridden during the last years of her life. I think of one of my friends who became immobile after he was struck by a stroke. And then there are others who have difficulties walking due to their poor health.

One of the kids I think of most is Ananda. He is a crippled teenage son of a friend of mine. Ananda stays at home in his bed or a wheelchair. Although physically incapacitated, his mind has always been active, like any normal kid.

We visit Ananda whenever circumstances permit us. While the family members engage themselves enjoying each other’s company, I sit by Ananda in his lonesome room, holding his small, thin hand. He glances at me and smiles. His smile brings me shame for my occasional displeasure over life’s mundane things.

I find it difficult to converse with Ananda because I do not know how he thinks; how his mind works. Sometimes I crack a joke, and he laughs. It helps me break the ice between us, even though we two live in vastly different worlds.

I have been curious and wanting to venture into the inner sanctum of his mind. So, I ask him what he loves most. He says, ‘I enjoy it when Ammu takes me to the parkland. I love watching the kids in the playground. They all look so very happy and joyful.’

I keep probing, ‘What would you do if God gave you one day of normal life?’

There is silence. Ananda is taken aback, but then he responds pensively, ‘Chacha, I would go out for a walk – a long walk. I would walk in the park, on the grass, by the river, on the rocky hills, sandy deserts, anywhere. I would walk, walk, and walk all day. The day would be like eternity in heaven.’

His words touch me deeply. I look at his eyes and keep looking at him. He says, ‘What?’

I say, ‘That’s a wonderful idea, Ananda. The best idea I ever heard of.’

Ananda’s eyes brighten as he smiles at me. Deep down in my heart I cry, ‘God, I am prepared to swap my life for his!’

Postscript

The other day Ananda’s mother phoned me. She sobbed and said that Ananda passed away last week. She then pleaded, ‘Please pray for his soul.’

Tears roll down my cheeks. All I know is that I love Ananda dearly and long to see him again in another world.

Ananda and I, hand in hand, would set out for a long walk in the gardens of Eden. We would walk in the park, on the grass, by the river, on the rocky hills, sandy deserts and whatever comes to pass.