The Frangipani Ring

The Frangipani Ring.

In the humdrum of day-to-day activities, we face an onslaught of little bruises from the world. We give and take harsh words, crack insensitive jokes, and face manipulations occasionally as we navigate through our lives. These little wounds impact us, and someday, this suppressed sadness explodes in anger or trickles down as tears at the slightest trigger. Yesterday was one such day.  

 I returned home yesterday evening with a cocktail of irritability, anger and sadness, immediately changed into gym wear, decided to hit the gym with a vengeance and release all the pent-up rage and energy. That, however, didn't mean I went to the gym. Instead, I spent an hour lazily lying on the couch watching mindless reels. Finally an hour later, I mustered enough courage and decided to go for walk downstairs in the garden. Armed with ear pods and Oprah's new podcast, I traipsed down the stairs with the goal of reaching 7000 steps.

 

The garden of our society blooming in monsoon was a pleasing sight. The lush green lawns, the delicate lilies swaying gently in the wind, the dotted benches occupied by ladies chatting into oblivion, and little children jumping around, cycling and running all over, being their chaotic, happy selves. I crossed all of them to a secluded path lined with frangipani trees, the pathway strewn with white-yellow flowers that had fallen from these trees after the afternoon thunderstorm and rain.  

Endorphins and Oprah slowly began to soothe my frayed nerves as I continued to walk. Almost on the verge of completing the targeted steps, a little girl sitting on the bench near a Frangipani tree came running to me and said, " Aunty, you are so pretty. I made a ring for you." Surprised and unsure of what I had heard, I removed the ear pods, and she continued, "I made this ring for you and want to gift you. Will you wear it?" She then taught me how to wear it by tying the stalk around the finger and gave me an extra one in case I lost it. I asked her name, shook hands, and gladly accepted her gift. Smiling adoringly, in a way only little girls can, she ran towards the bench and began playing with her friends again. 

 This one singular act of love and warmth from a girl just about eight years old, reinforced the power of kindness and how an act of tenderness from a little stranger could change my mood and wipe away the annoyance I carried all day. With misty eyes, I thanked little Prisha, took a picture of my hand wearing the ring and went back home with a spring in my step and lightness of being.

 God bless the little girl. May she continue to radiate her positivity and compassion as she grows and sprinkle it on whosoever needs it. And may people like me pass on the magic learnt from her to those in need. Be kind. It is one of the most powerful virtues one can have.

#unauditedthoughts.