"The Sentinels"

Very early in the morning, when even the birds have not started stirring in their nests.

I woke up as if someone shook me up from deep slumber, made my way into the kitchen, prepared a large mug full of tea, went to the backyard of my house and settled in the iron swing placed there. I took few hearty sips of tea, was completely awake and started melting into the surroundings.

A gentle breeze was blowing and the trees around my house were swaying their heads merrily. The night queen plant in the backyard was adding flavor to the beauty of the divine hour by its fragrance. The clouds were moving in slow motion and were playing hide and seek with the moon. It seemed as if the plants which are cared with lots of love are beckoning me to rise and see what they have to offer me this morning; freshly blossomed flowers. They are ever willing to contribute their might in my prayers to the God almighty by giving flowers of varied hues, colors and fragrance.

“Beautiful” I thought. Lost I was in my thoughts; I did not know when I finished my tea. It was a trance which was disturbed by some odd sound coming from top of the swing. I got up and found that a branch of the tree in the backyard was rubbing against the canopy of the swing, making a rhythmic sound. “It must be praising the beauty of the morning in its own way” I thought.

I looked at the tree lovingly and felt a voice coming from it “Do you recognize me? I was brought by you as a small sapling more than two decades ago and was planted here”.

“ Yes. I do remember.I brought three saplings, planted two in front of the house and you in the backyard. You were tiny little ones and required lot of protection and care. You loved every moment of my being with you and swung your heads in return. When I touched your leaves, I could feel your warmth flowing into me. You withered when I was away from home for a few days and came to life on my return. There you are now very tall and handsome”. I stood in the semi darkness and spoke as if there was a human being in front of me.

“I am happy that you remember every detail. I will tell you something more. You used to come near us and say that we are the sentinels of this house. Someone who protects the house and its inhabitants from all weathers; someone who stands guard when all are asleep; someone who is no less in feelings than human beings. We love you and will be besides you always” so said the Sentinel. “One more thing; you cannot bear even a leaf being broken out of us” it added.

“Thanks for recounting my feelings. It is very nice of you. You have been by my side for more than two decades and I feel as if it is a complete life time. I feel complete with you. Your bright green color keeps my eyes glowing; your branches upon which many birds build nests, take rest and sing in praise are my support systems; the tiny rain drops which fall from your leaves are a sign of life being handed over by the Heavens to the Earth; the cool breeze and shade being given by you when summers are at their height is a great relief to us; I can sing in praise of you endlessly, yet find it incomplete”. The words just came straight out of my heart.

My conversation with the sentinel was broken by a loud chirping of the birds on the trees. I raised my head and saw light golden yellow rays coming from the Eastern skies, signaling “Another Day; Another Way”.

“My dear Sentinels” I said loudly “Keep doing the good job”.

As if to say that they are in agreement, “The Sentinels” raised their heads and showered happiness upon me with a rush of cool breeze.