Through the country paths, I lazily loitered
Watching Nature in its changing hue
Straying farther into the interiors
Sundry and sublime vistas came into view

In response to zephyr’s warm embrace
The silvery leaves joyously fluttered
The bees busied themselves collecting pollen
And birds on tree tops merrily chattered

It was the fag end of verdant spring
Summer’s sun stood behind my head
Bleat of sheep was heard from far
‘Good day to you’….. Someone said.

There stood on the hill, a boy around fifteen
Obviously he was of tribal breed
With a beaming smile, he greeted me
But on walking to him, he ran like a steed

I saw him disappear behind the trees
And enter into a hut tiny as a nest
He lived in the lap of Mother Nature
Far from the city and its sooty dust

Being coaxed, he hesitantly came out
My tone of assurance and pleasing smile
Seemed to have won his confidence
As to a friend, he shared his eventful tale

Pointing to the sheep grazing in the slope
He said, he earned a living caring the flock
He stayed in the woods all day long
Feeding and tending his master’s sheep

From dawn to dusk, through woods and meads
He leads his sheep, calling them by their name
Un vexed, with simple pleasures he is content
And with a nomad’s life, he seems to be tame

He said, at home he has his invalid mother
Bringing her back to health is his mission in life
On referring to his mother, I watched his eyes glitter
Nothing other than her illness posed to him a strife

From every utterance, I could sense his filial love
In abundance while shadows line many faces
On his visage, hope lingered as a dancing flame
To me he seemed above many, rich in other graces

While parting, I handed him some money
Pausing unbelievingly, with moist eyes
He accepted it when a breeze passed caressing us
As if over a kind gesture, Nature seemed to rejoice!

This was written based on a real incident with a sprinkle of imagination ! The boy with his cheerful disposition in the face of adversities continues to be an inspiring memory!