The Lotus Leaf

A pond near the Irish Garden was filled with beautiful Lotus Flowers of different color. Anyone walking by would always prefer to stop and enjoy the fragrance of these flowers. There were benches arranged for visitors and joggers to stop by. People used to come with different moods, but once they stopped by, each one used to be filled with peacefulness. Sitting and chatting, people used to recollect and share their fantasy stories, adventurous experiences, dreams and what not.

Moved by this kingdom of fantasy is our hero of the story, “The Lotus Leaf”. The Lotus Leaf, used to wait for morning, to hear the fantasy story of kids, best romantic novels of teenagers, young adult sports fiction and this fantasy series list goes on. He used to get lost in dreams, creating his own world of fantasy.

He had also created fantasy lover and started planning what all he would share and enjoy with her. How he would heroically shield her from all the odds. Not allowing him to enjoy his dreams, there was a frog, who used to jump on him, played with water, insects.

Every time the frog jumped, there used to be some water droplets that fell on the leaf, and the frog used to play with the droplets. This used to disturb The Lotus Leaf a lot and it always interrupted his imagination. The leaf used to push the frog back into water and tried to concentrate back on the stories. But he was rarely successful.

This made The Lotus Leaf most unfriendly amongst all. While other creatures, flowers and leaves in the pond played and enjoyed each other’s company, The Lotus Leaf preferred to be aloof.  The lotus flower tried to explain him that this attitude of his is no good. And he should learn to make friends with the creatures around.

The Lotus Leaf never bothered any of his suggestions. For him, he was sure that his soulmate will arrive one day and they will have the best time together. And so, he neither need to bother about anyone else, nor should make any friends with the surrounding creatures.

One day, as usual, the frog jumped on to the leaf and was trying to catch the butterflies with her tongue and as always, the leaf got frantic. He immediately made a sudden movement that the frog fell into the pond and was caught by a snake. The Lotus Leaf never bothered about the frog and since then, the frog never came back. Since then, no other creature, even a water droplet ever came near The Lotus Leaf.

This made him rejoice and now, without any disturbance, he was deeply immersed in this fantasy stories. As days passed, months passed, our hero started desperately waiting to meet his soulmate, as he started feeling lonely. Except for his fantasy stories and imaginary soulmate, there was no body to even look at him. This made him sad and weak day by day. He was actually losing hope that he would ever meet his soulmate. He was no longer interested in stories of the people. He felt as if everyone around him were belittling him for his attitude and imagination. Though this never bothered him in the past, the same thought was bothering him deeply now.

After a few months, in the rainy season, there was heavy rain and within seconds, the entire place became damp and dirty. The water levels in the pond raised and most of the creatures in the pond were shattered. While others were trying to get back to normal and adjust themselves to this new normal, The Lotus Leaf, our hero, found something unusual and interesting.

There was a rain drop that stayed on the leaf. She was shining like a pearl. Due to reflection of sunlight, it was throwing rainbow colours all over. The Lotus Leaf felt that he finally found his soulmate. She was out of the world. Exactly like the one he imagined. He felt that she was the Princess from the kingdom of fantasy.

Without wasting a second, he introduced himself. The Rain drop smiled and blushed. Within no time, they became good friends. They danced together in bliss in rhythm with the water ripples underneath and cool breeze over. The smooth movement of rain drop felt like heaven to The Lotus Leaf. The Lotus Leaf’s happiness was beyond boundaries. Every creature them were jealous, except for the Lotus Flower, as she was happy that he at least found someone of his choice. That, he was not lonely anymore.

The Lotus Leaf used to narrate his stories to his soulmate, and stories on how he believed that she would come and more. Time passed and slowly, the Rain drop started making friends with the environment around. After all her charm was doing the magic for her. Initially, she made friends with butterfly, who shared about the beautiful places she visited, later, she made friends with a water droplet, that the butterfly introduced. The Lotus Leaf couldn’t appreciate any of this. But he obviously didn’t have a choice. He allowed the water droplet to come over. Both the drops used to have long conversations. The Lotus Leaf was quite disinterested but had to give a patient ear.

The water droplet explained her how beautiful the world was beneath the leaf. The fishes, the waves, the ripples, the green algae, the tadpoles. The Rain drop started getting fascinated with the world beyond The Lotus Leaf. She wanted to move all over, explore everything. She knew for sure that The Lotus Leaf will not agree if she says that. So, at night, taking help of the water droplet, she slowly slipped into the pond.

Next morning, to the surprise of the Lotus Leaf, it didn’t find the Rain drop. He searched all over, by splashing himself into the pond. There came many water droplets but none were his princesses. He tried and tried with no luck. He scolded himself for being careless. For, he felt it was his mistake to lose her. His days of solitude were back. The Lotus Flower tried to console him. The Lotus Flower used to tell him that many times by waiting for something that is not with us, we tend to ignore the worth of our priceless possessions. But it none of these words made any impact on him.

One day, The Lotus Leaf found a frog sitting and gazing at him from some distance. It reminded him of his old enemy. But he just ignored. Even the next day, he saw the same frog. For sometime he tried to overlook. But as it kept on starring, he felt a little conscious.

He slowly whispered to the Lotus Flower. Did you notice, this frog is constantly looking at me. I feel so weird. The Lotus Flower asked “Oh! Is it? How and When did you notice?” The Lotus leaf replied “Since yesterday!?” The Lotus Flower replied “Oh my dear! It is staring at you for months now.” The Lotus Leaf was astonished and screamed “What?? For months??” “What do you mean for months? I never saw her?” he exclaimed. The Flower asked, “Do you know who she is?” He responded immediately in loud voice “NO!!!! Ok, wait! Don’t tell me that she is the same frog who….” The flower nodded in agreement. Quite baffled, the leaf enquired her being caught by a Snake. The flower said, she somehow managed to escape with the help of Eel grass underneath. Sighing in relief, he asked, “But, why the hell is she keeping a watch on me? Is she angry on me? Will she avenge me for what happened?” the flowered smiled and suggested him to enquire directly with her.

Though not completely convinced, the leaf agreed. Now that he observed her keeping an eye, he felt it will be good idea to air out any differences. He already was going through so much agony having lost his princesses. He didn’t want to add on to his distress. He invited the frog in the evening.

The frog came on to him. In a very pleasant and pleasing tone, she enquired how he was? And comforted him saying the rain drop will return for sure. Astonished with her affection, the leaf continued the conversation. This was the first time ever, the was kind to the frog. They conversed for hours. And slowly, the leaf started feeling comfortable and could deviate his thoughts about the rain drop. He was steadily coming out of the closet. They were becoming good friends.

They started spending time talking to each other, discovering one another. Creatures in the pond were pretty surprised to notice a lovely bond weaving between them. The leaf, who was once known for his arrogance and coldness started welcoming and appreciating the world around. He started making friends, exchanging pleasants and embracing differences. 

He loved the world he is in and learned to treasure the wonderful mate he found. He finally realized his true soulmate! He could find the queen of his kingdom of fantasy. “The FROG!”.