Different strokes
Naanu and ...Duncan.Each one in a different country,in a different setting...but each affected me the same way-I fell in love with both of them the very instant I saw them.
Naanu came to my campus around two years back(this is flashback India).He would go to school in the morning with his mother or younger brother for company.In the evenings he always had to come outside for fresh air.He would stand in the intersection of our campus entry road and watch all the happenings of the campus.He was particularly fascinated by the cars which were present on campus and the ones which came in.If a car came in during his watch,he would run towards the car and satisfy his curiosity about all things in the car.He was very fond of small children,but the irony of it all is that other children either used to be scared of him or worse-poke fun at him.Naanu never understood when somebody made fun of him and the sad part is,he never will.I suppose, in a way it was good for him....He hated people touching him and whenever his brother pulled him when he was too much interested in a car,he would get angry.The two times I tried talking to him he got scared.But he would always wave when he saw anybody coming.That was his standard greeting.I was unable to see him before I came here...that has been my major disappointment.But I always remnicise about the two years with affection.Naanu gave me hope and courage when I was down.Observing him gave me strength many a "down-in-the-dumps" days.
It was Duncan's unconditional love to me,even after knowing me for a very short time, which formed a bond of sorts between us.Duncan was my first buddy I made after coming here to study.Never a dull moment when Duncan was around.
But now,Naanu is left behind in India and Duncan recently moved away..I miss both of them and will always think of my days with them as a learning experience of sorts for me.Cheers to both Naanu and Duncan...they will never be able to read this post but this is a salute to both-Naanu a mentally challenged child and Duncan-my neighbor's dog.
2 comments:
Hmm...I understand you.
I knew someone too (would be better with name undisclosed).I was really in love with him, especially his innocence and ignorance. He was special and very special to me. He is as old as me and probably would hv turned to be another doctor or engineer had he not been special. People feel sorry for him for being a special child but I really envy him.
Strangely, he is one of the very few people I can relate to.
And the day I left India, I went to visit him..a tear trickled down his cheek .It surprised his family as he could not even express his hunger.Then, I felt my heart was being ripped into two.
Also, are you aware of the "Special Child School" in Tharamani, Chennai.I forgot its name tough.I remember I used to take time off from work (I was doing a kind of project at SERC,Tharamani) to be with those kids. And it did feel good. As you said it was a good learning experience. That was the time I learnt more than I did in school and college put together.
I really miss those times.
Memories are what truly I possess even now.
And as you said a salute to those special kids.:)
@jawahar
Thanks!
@jsea
Ya I'm aware of that school as I know a child who went there.And as for them turning into doctors or engineers..we have enough of them in society.What we need is special people like them with a pure heart.What do you say?
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