Why is the crow black


Long long time ago
when the world was still new
when the trees and flowers gladly swayed
when the birds and animals gladly spoke
It was a time when the good lord
had not yet made man in his image
when the world was a paradise
and every creature big and small could talk

The lord of the world saw his creation and thought
"I should colour it for it looks too bland".
He declared that the next morning he would colour the birds
"So, come early everyone and I shall colour you pretty".
Such excitement gripped the avian
"We will be colourful". chirped the finches
"We will be colourful', chirped the swift swallows
'I will look the most elegant", strutted the peacock
But the lazy crow just opened his eyes and said
"time enough, time enough.
Let me sleep. There's time enough"

Next morning, the glade was full of twittering, chirping
clucking,tweeting, trilling, quacking ,shrieking and hooting.
Every bird big and small jostled and plucked for space
Every bird had a demand that the lord paint her beautiful.
But the lazy crow peeked from beneath his wings and yawned
"time enough, time enough.
Let me sleep. There's time enough"

"Soon, soon my feathered darlings , you will be beautiful
.Have a  little patience. let me get my tools and I will be ready for you".
HE called the rooster to strut out of the coop
"Tell me what colour suits your mood"
"Red please, your lordship. Red as the rising sun
For I greet him every morn"
"True", said the lord "I will gift you the colours of the sun"
The rooster looked proud with his fiery red and flaming orange
"I look perfect", crowed he
But the lazy crow with the sleepy shut eyes said,
"time enough, time enough.
Let me sleep. There's time enough"


A dove came fluttering shyly"May I, please, choose my colour?"
"Yes, my dear. What is your wish?"
"White.Just Like the foam of the sea.
That's the colour for me"
"White it is my precious .For white is the colour of hope too
The colour of peace in a world which is quite noisy sometimes
HE picked up his brush and painted the dove white.
"Oh!! Its beautiful. It's just the colour for me. "
"Yes . It is ", Said the lord
"When the storm clouds gather You can be seen from a distance
When the noise of the world becomes too loud,
then will your wings beat out the message of peace,
You are the symbol of hope. Go spread your wings to the sun"
But the lazy crow cracked open his eyes and said
"time enough, time enough.
Let me sleep. There's time enough"

Soon the eagle bold came and stood by the lord

"Paint me a colour of the dazzling sun

For I rise above the Terra firm.

Give my wings the speed of wind

When I strike, I strike true"

"Yes, my child." Said HE ," I made you free and true

and the golden colour is for you

Rise above the petty morass
Fly to heavens above the high mountain pass.
How proudly shook his wings, the brave
and to the heavens , a path he paved
But the lazy crow drowsily mumbled and said
"time enough, time enough.
Let me sleep. There's time enough"

Sashayed the peacock through the mob

Spread his feathers and coyly bobbed

"Please your Highness, Wouldn't you paint me bright?

I have such long feathers. Wouldn't you colour me to rival the light ?"

"Of course," quote HE" I would love to see your feathers bright

Don't You worry, darling. I will colour them just right".

Then the lord picked his brush and dipping it in colour so gay

HE made the peacock dance and sway

"When the rains beat their drums from the skies above,

You shall show your glorious feathers dancing in the grove"

But the lazy crow hardly heard the talk but lisped

"time enough, time enough.
Let me sleep. There's time enough"

The day was now waning fast
and the lazy crow got up with a gasp
"Am I late?", wondered he
"Where is everyone? Have they left me here?"
He crawled out of the tree and looked everywhere
Not a bird could he see.
"Oh my!! I am very late."
Saying so , he shook his wings and flew post haste
The glade was full of birds colourful
Who looked at the lazy crow now doleful.
"Am I very late or is there any colour left?"
He looked so sad and felt so bad.
Why oh why , was I so lazy??
Now I am the only one who looks  so hazy".

The good lord with a stern face said
"You knew the order of the day.
Yet you chose to sleep and stay.
Now all have been painted and done
and my paints are all gone.
I am afraid I cannot help you
for this wonderful chance you blew."
HE gathered up his tools and brushes
and the lazy crow wept in gushes
"Forgive me ,please. I am sorry
Please paint me  any colour without a worry"

How could the lord turn away from the sad crow
He put down his brushes and wiped his brow
Looking here and there , he spied a tub of colour black
"This is the only colour that I don't lack.
Would you like this on your back
cause there is no more in my pack."
All the birds stood silently by
 As the crow nodded his head with a sigh.
The lord gently picked up the crow forlorn
and coloured him all black from head to toe
and with HIS grace caused the colour to glow
"There, You look beautiful. So black and so shiny
You will be a piece of night in the gleaming morning

Now the crow looked over his feathers gleaming black
He bowed his head and said" thank you lord for this colour so right
I will gladly carry it as a mirror to light and say I so humbly
I am glad that i was forgiven for my mistakes horrible"
So every bird was glad and chirped up a storm
and returned to their nests in a swarm.

Unresolved

When was it that I became no more than a shadow
Was it then when the fire at the pit burned bright and strange
Was it then when under the veil questions trembled
Was it then when unknown people pushed forward and claimed me as theirs

Was it then when I was expected to do ; not think , not say
Was it then when the person i thought was mine turned away
Was it then when questions were not to be thought of
Was it then when I realised I am homeless

For the home I knew for the last many years is not mine anymore
And the home I dreamed of creating has no room for me

Was it then when the doors shut tight against my beating fists
Was it then when I was told it is all your fault
Was it then when the person who claimed me turns and says
You are nothing.

Yes it was then and now and ever more when the girl I knew is gone
Ask her what her dreams were and she gives a stupid look

Yes it was then that she realises she has offered not just the ghee
But burned herself slowly and steadily so nothing remains.....just ashes

Yes it is now I say that phoenix rise from ashes
Take it and smear it on the forehead of your conscious self
Take it and mix it with your yet to be formed soul
Like manure or fertilisers
Let new flowers bloom forth
Let a new garden of dreams emerge.

I am a woman,hear me roar
give me wings, watch me soar
Too long have I sat brooding
Too long has the night been roosting
Let me take up my hammer
Draw the steel from my heart
Shape my destiny as an arrow
Break the boughs, make  a bow
Temper the steel with my resolve
Brace the arrow and evolve
Shoot straight and true
No time to sit and rue
Long has been the winter
Now for the ice to splinter
I might be weak
But my dreams are strong
Make no mistake
Nor chains bind
I will break all
I am a woman , hear me roar

WOMEN'S DAY


A day like any other except for all the news tags in the morning screaming "Happy Women's Day".
What does it mean? How is today different from other days?International women's day was designated to mark the acceptance of women as part of the universal adult suffrage movement but has it just become a hash tag??

The scenario around the world largely remains unchanged for so many women even after 1917. Yes, women's day was celebrated to acknowledge contribution of the women in the world as we see it today, however the narrative has hardly changed. We see women abused physically , emotionally and financially even now. 

In times of peace and economic development, women are expected to take home salaries which are considerably less than that of their men colleagues and woe betide any women who raises this issue.
Maternity leave which is sanctioned by the govt. and the constitution is given in a very blase manner as if to underline the fact that you are someone who needs this leave cause you are weak. Well...try pushing out a human from within you and then tell me how it feels. 

Anyway, the idea is not to be hostile to anyone but present certain unsavoury observations on the occasion of Women's Day. Even after so many years of freedom we still have to free half the population from the shackles of male domination. Take a simple example, like "Your father / husband/ brother is tired after the office. Give him a glass of water/ tea etc". A woman is expected to take care of the male of the species. Why???? The woman has also come in bringing the bacon home. How is her bacon inferior or why shouldn't she be allowed to rest herself?

I don't say that a woman should not care for her loved ones but shouldn't she care for herself first. If a man doesn't take care of the family or the lady of the house, why is  he not strung up. You say that a woman has to be seen and not heard. How is that right?? We are muzzling the voice of half the population and we term it civilised.Makes no sense.

The true essence of a women's day would be when we understand not the macro level of empowerment but go deep down into the micro level of enslavement. Tiny little missiles launched every day , quite innocently, have punctured a women's worth in her own eyes. A truly celebratory women's day would be when we as  women not only understand each other but raise each other up. When we hold each others hands and let it be known that we are unwilling to demean ourselves each day, every day.

A woman does not only look pretty but is a pretty strong personality herself so don't get me wrong , when I say, a women's day is not just a day for vacant lip service but a day when women decide not to be demeaned.

हमारी कहानी , हमारी ज़ुबानी 


सात समंदर पार से 
रानी के दरबार से 
कश्ती पर रखे पाँव 
आये अँगरेज़ लगाने दाव 

भूगोल में नहीं था ऐसा न्यारा 
सोने की चिड़िया सा देश हमारा 
सजा था हर कानन 
स्वर्ण रत्नों से हर कण कण 
गूंजती थी हवाओं में तान मधुर 
सुनती थी सपनों में गान मधुर 

किस्से कहानियों से न भरा उसका दिल 
अँगरेज़ आये करने मेरी माँ को हासिल 
आतुर मन पर रख कर काबू 
मीठी बातें पर बगल में चाकू 
खेला उसने ऐसा खेल 
चली उसने ऐसी चाल 
क्षण भर में हुई काया पलट 
लुटा दरबार , लूटी दौलत 
जो कभी थे राजा, अब हुए रंक 
सूर्य सी थी जिनकी शोभा 
धूमिल हो गयी उनकी आभा 
गिरे पृथ्वी पर जैसे पक्षी बिन पंख 
हाय री ! कैसी कटु दशा , कैसा प्रपंच 

छाया  निष्ठुरता का ऐसा ग्रहण 
बलवान हुए निर्धन 
फुट फुट कर रोया यह चमन 
अब कौन करे अँधेरे को रोशन 
ऐसे में वीरों की निकली टोली 
खेलने को आतुर रक्त की होली 
हर नर नारी बने सिपाही 
हल्ला बोल बड़े उत्साही 
नाना , तात्या, लक्ष्मीबाई 
रणबांकुरों की सुनो गवाही 
धरती लाल, आसमान लाल 
प्राण हराये  पर न था मलाल 

अँगरेज़ परचम की परछाई 
लगने लगी धरा परायी 
फिर आया ऐसा रणवीर 
लाठी लेकर एक फ़कीर 
लढा वो बिन शमशीर 
बदली उसने हमारी तकदीर 
दी आज़ादी , आया भूचाल 
साबरमती के संत तूने 
कर दिया कमाल 

लेकर अपना ताना बाना 
अँगरेज़ हुए रवाना 
आओ गायें यह तराना 
इतिहास का यह फ़साना 
नव युवकों को भी बताना। 

THE WITCH WHO LAUGHED

Listen closely for my story is old
listen hard for the tale be told
long time on the edge of the fey land
dwelt all manner of creatures gay
elves and pixies
fairies and goblins
wizard and witches
and all so strange

Strange and mysterious
was the land
strange and fantastic
if truth be had
All manners of magic
curse and cure
could be found under
every stair

In that land fantastic
lived a clumsy witch
Butterfingers was her name
it suited her all the same
Not a curse ,nor a cure
Not a bubble, nor a trouble
could she get right though
try she did with all her might

Still a merry lass was she
who laughed to see
her curses sprout wings
and ride across the toadstool ring
Her garden was home to many ideas
A bucket duck and dancing toys

The others laughed to see her fail
and she laughed too with all
never did she curse and shout
for everything to her was a hoot
Merry was she, merry as the birds
that flit across the skies
and laughed till she thought
that she would die

One fine day as the rumours flew
the king and queen with the prince
were passing through
They said the king was sad
They said the queen was sad
For the prince never smiled
nor ever said a word

The learned wizards said
Take him out
Let him roam the world
Let him see life is not for the sad
for there's beauty and laughter everywhere
Let him feel the power of laughter
Of an unfettered pure heart
Let him feel it set his heart and soul free
 And then he will be cured

Then as their chariot came rushing by
who should come but butterfingers passing by
As she saw the prince with a face so sad
She laughed and laughed oh so hard
The chariot stopped at a command
and the prince leaped out for a royal reprimand

The passerby all stood scared
oh what had butterfingers done so bad
Now she's had it, whispered they
She will be in prison till she is grey
The prince looked at her up and down
why was she dressed like a clown
Instead of a hat a huge flower adorned her head
and yet she laughed at the prince like no one dared

Why are you wearing a flower huge
and why does your bucket waddle
What strange being are you
that can laugh without a hurdle
Butterfingers bowed and said
A thousand pardon i beg you prince
but truly it was funny to see you so sad
with the horses  jolting you from side to side

The prince smiled and asked her name
Butterfingers is my claim to fame
The royal parents were shocked to hear
the prince talk and see him smile so clear
Ten thousand questions asked the prince
and Butterfingers answered without a hitch

She took them to her garden dear
and the prince laughed for all to hear
My heart is glad, he said
Nothing pleases me more my lad
said the king and the queen with tears
For we have waited for long your laughter to hear

Butterfinger forever you are welcome to our palace
Never fear for we hold you in our heart
Let it be known far and wide
with glory and deep pride
Butterfinger is the witch that leaves laughter
by the newborn babes and dreams
When anyone with a pure heart laughs
know that butterfingers is near
for laughter has no fear.

Daughter of the sky
a fairy tale to gladden the heart

In the days long past there was a princess
who lived in the palace of the clouds, high above the world
A pretty girl was she, the daughter of the sky
Her hair was dark as night and cheeks as red as a new born sun
She was graceful and slender;
 and a joy to watch for all and sunder
At dawn every day she would sit at her window
Combing out her long locks,
as the fog lifted the curtains to the world below.
Just then a sly crow perched near the window
grabbed the pearl pin from her hair and flitted away
as the princess tried to stop it.

Down in the valley a prince riding like the wind
felt the drops which rained down from the princess's hair
reining the horse he looked up, and saw the radiant girl up in the sky
"Sir, can you help find that thief of a crow who took my pin?",asked the girl
"yes, of course " said the prince as he galloped after the marauding crow
High over hills ; low over dales sped the black ribboned horse with the prince on its back
It ran through the nights black as coal and sharp shinning days
Never swaying or stumbling and still the crow flew high
At long last; the crow settled to rest on the highest nook of the tallest pine
And there the prince too cantered to stop.
Tying up his steed for a well earned rest, he climbed up the tall tree
for hadn't he given his word to the daughter of the sky to fetch her treasure
 though it lay at the edge of the world .

The crow looked on as the prince climbed the last few branches and then it spoke,
"Well, my friend, you have come far and in earnest
to take from me what i stole from the princess of the sky.
Tell me, why have you ridden so far for a trinket that has least value?"
The prince said, "I don't know what value she places on that clip but for me
her words and smile are more golden than all the gold in the world"
"Hmmm", said the crow,"Perhaps that's why you are a match for her.
Its been said that whosoever takes the time to risk all for a smile will succeed in love.
So, take this precious pin and go to your lady...but beware time is short and your love still new.
Maybe the love that fills your heart teaches you how to risk all
for though I am old yet have i loved and seen many falter at the brink.
Sincerely, I hope that you reach the zenith "

The prince soon clambered down with the precious jewel for his lady
and his faithful steed sped down the way it came.
Before long the prince stood at the pinnacle of the mountain
and reaching up gave the pin into the princess's hand
"Thank you, " said the grateful girl"What can i give in return?"
"Nothing, "said the prince, " except your promise that you meet me here forever tomorrow "
The princess returned a glad smile and promised the prince to return
Such beauteous days were those when the prince and the princess met
But for how long can such love hide its light from the rest of the greedy eyes

A shadow stood in the corner listening to the lovers talk
A shadow which steadily grew long and dark
A shadow which slithered away to whisper its poison into the sky king's ears
"Look," hissed the shadow,"See. I tell the truth.
The princess grows fond of the mortal
and the mortal shall rise to stake claim over the skies.
Act now. Separate them for then your throne survives."

Ill wind was it that blew that day
for who would have thought; a father for power,
Would not be heart broken to see his daughter cry.
"Forsake his love or forsake my love", thundered the king
Deaf to her cries and moans of grief
"Either see him no more or see him dead" said the stony king
"For you shall no longer be the daughter that I love."
All the tears that rained down was the sound of her heart breaking
but the old king heard nothing.

Up in the tallest tower sat the princess thinking sad thoughts
And down below vainly stood the prince even in the pouring rain
Flying above the sky  the crow saw the pale face of the sad daughter of the sky
And leaning in said "Don't worry. Your prince waits for you.
Be ready as the sun goes down the steps and the moon soldiers into the sky.
I will take you to your prince and that's my promise to you."

Soon the sun crept downstairs tired after a long day at the borders
and the moon stepped smartly over the ramparts to stare at the world below
Still the prince waited for a glimpse of his love
And there stepping lightly on the backs of the swallows
Who lined from the sky to the earth below ,was the princess
Come finally to meet her prince.
Oh! What a sight it was
To see the lovers meet

Soon all was told and the prince took up his bride on his steed
and rushed where the sky meets the earth.
There he came and boldly standing before the lord of the sky
Said the prince, "Lord and king of all that's above and below
I love your daughter and will marry her
and as for your crown...your head graces it much better than mine ever could
My only treasure is the love i feel for your daughter and the rest are all dross.
Grant me your blessing and the power to make your daughter smile
For that will be my earnings and the rest are all dross."

The old king looked hard at the prince and liked him the more
For who can resist a man who gladly gives his heart to his daughter.
"I am old and senile too, I think" thundered the crusty old king
"Who am I to deny the young love that shines so brilliantly here?
I gladly give you my daughter but only say that she forgives her father
and comes home sometimes to gladden his heart"

And so it came about that the daughter of the sky wed her prince
And the world rejoiced festooned in rainbows, it danced
So comes to end, my story and if you feel that you would like to step a dance
Feel free, my friend and I will gladly pipe the music.