A CHILD ATOP THE WORLD

Lunch interval.
The boy started climbing up the hill.
Atop the hill an eliphantine rock.
He covered the scattered little rocks
patches of grass and thick bushes
all the way to the top.
He reached atop the hill
mounted on the elephant's back,
stood on the elephant rejoicing,
his joy knew no limits.
Like a mountainaire having accomplished his mission.
Winds blowing from behind
wiped out the beads of sweat.
The wind hugging him like his mother.
Looked around with curious eyes.
Thick greenery all around.
Trees far away seemed like beckoning him
Looked he, to the front,
Temple of learning, down the hill
buildings scattered,
horizontal and vertical them.
Students playing hide and seek games,
Far away a vast paddy field-
A carpet of greenery
A large circular pond in the middle,
Lotus flowers blooming
under the gentle sun
its rays like love messages to the blooming flowers
from a lover.
People moving along
seemed to him like
ants moving in a row.
At the farther end,
saw he the coconut trees
leaning towards the
paddy-fields.
Behind the trees
a house,
a kid, naked he was, running around the house,
mother running after him.
First bell rang
Then followed the second one
Boy immersed in
the sights around him
oblivious of the school bells ringing
he stood devouring the beautiful sights around him.
He looked down the hill.
Temple of learning calm and quiet
classes already started.
With thumping heart
he ran down to the school.
Teacher already in the class
He stood at the door step,
Sweating profusely he was.
A dazed look he had and was gasping.
His wide eyes gone wider.
"Come-in" - teacher ordered.
A look of seriousness
glinted across her face.
"Where you went"?
"To the top of the world" -replied he looking frightened,
class roared into laughter.
Embarrased, frightened,
he stood before her.
Tried she to suppress her laughter
'Top of the world'?
'What you mean'?
He pointed towards
the elephantine rock
'there'- he said.
Class broke-out once again
Teacher cast a glance sternly.
"Silence"- ordered she.
"What all you saw"?
"The whole world"- in came the reply
Shivering he was with fear,
smiled she at him,
His dreams,
His ambitions,
His innocence.
All she read in his face.
Embraced him she like his mother
Her eyes full to its brim
"Be seated" - Her voice gone broke.
She wanted to be alone somewhere
and break into tears.
Her own childhood came vividly to her mind.