You have been warned : I am beautiful to behold but deadly if you step in. Do not go further, there is danger ahead among the scattered lines below😔
The still waters beckoned me as my little footprints made their imprints upon the hot dry sand from the now setting Sun which was once at its zenith only a few hours ago. As the cool waves lapped at my feet tickling me, needless to say, they were now beckoning to get in more of my self into the blue expanse lit only by a distant horizon and a few stars making their appearance.
I could feel the embrace of the heavy stillness around my waist pushing me ever so slightly, in all directions, four directions I had been taught in school. I never had experienced so much soothing, as if somebody had applied the healing balm all over me. The timid mind had made its plunge into the deep even before, though the body ever so careful made steps with my tiny legs that had now started to complain to me that the water though helping it to hold on was also pushing the weight of my fear into the quick sands that were quickly forming. But as egged on, as I used to walk with parents, I persisted to walk ahead into the inviting spectacle.
When the plush waves pushed me playfully, I tried to balance myself with my hands trying to use them as paddles, oars or fins, oh I could see my vocabulary was slowly failing me. The shadow of fear that had appeared quite some time ago in my messy head was now standing next to me, not helping me, but standing still, waiting for me as my mother did, to take care of my ablutions.
I looked out to the beach, how far was I away from the people walking upon it, the playful children creative as they could get with the sand. I could see some navigating the now invisible thread of their playfully wielded kites and the hawkers trying their best to get in a morsel or two of the food their cans held into the mouths of the visitors. Shout I did as as I was slowly drifting away, the sea taking with it, poor me, as it retreated for the evening but all I could manage was a croak. Was it because of the salt that had gotten into me or had I become an amphibian after settling in this water for some quite some time. My skin needed to breathe, my pale self not helping, the fish scurrying desperately away from a stranger who never knew or learnt to swim like them. There was no log of wood for me to hold on, nor one to write my last wishes for the dear people whom I left back on the beach.
Had they noticed my absence, the dusk fast giving away to darkness, my head and frail hands that bobbed up once in a while, was it visible to them, to anyone who gazed at the deep sea or the arc of the horizon, I knew not. The body got heavier by the minute and whatever air in me gave way to the water now gushing in with a pinch of salt. Water, I was taught was life giving, but my small body could never handle too much of it. The ocean was now feeding me what it knew best, to intruders who had never understood how to step into it. Oh dear mother, if only I had listened to you and had not wandered off into the deep water when you were not looking. I sent you on an errand so that you could not see me running into the vast expanse of bluish water which had always enchanted me, a place of wonder where a lot of my imaginative characters dwelt.
I know the lunch with the wonderful curry you fed with your hands seems to be, my last feed of the day as I now rest myself on the floor of good old nature, bidding bye to all my worries, my unanswered questions and rest now. My tired body has sunk, buried by a thin layer of sparkling sand, a blanket against the increasing cold of the heavy rumble above me. How I, fervently wish, I might be a floating log tomorrow for my loved ones to claim along with their fond memories of me…
Perceptions 
Beautiful story Sunith and so well written. Sometimes we don’t listen to people when they tell us there is danger and then it is too late. Great loved it.
True Kamal, I just wanted to bring out this story from a child’s perspective and how important it is for parents to take care of the child when having an outing on a beach. Thank you for reading.
Yes absolutely true Sunith
Though it is advice for parents, I tell what I feel sir. We are child in hands of life , we very well know what our elders thought about life still we get attracted by this wishes of waves and drowned into the ocean of life and our process of birth and death happens again and again.
Beautiful way of looking at this using your wisdom, Subba! Thank you.
The end lines of the article, made me to think like that. Welcome sir.
Yes, they do give some fresh insights, even for me. Thank you for ingesting my posts and digesting them well 🙂
So sad to read. But I think we all should heed to the warnings as elders and also take good care of the kids when on an outing. Felt very sad.
Meena
Yes Meena. It is written to touch the hearts of readers and make an impact on elders and all those grown ups to warn from venturing and testing dangerous waters. Even it hit me towards the end.
A bit of a nightmare. I kept waiting for you to wake up. 🙂
Sorry. I woke up just now 🙂
A powerful narrative Sunith – I loved the way you were able to slip back into your child self.
Thank you Sara. In childhood I had a near drowning experience in a pond but one of my aunt saved me in time.
Like, double like and loved it, Sunith. What a powerful message expressed in words that are drowned in curiosity, anxiety, fear and finally a feeling of total abandon into the cold hands of death.
Your words stem from an experience I understand. Water being a life giver as much as a danger to life is one that struck me as a very philosophical thought.
Amazing write up, Sunith!
Thank you so much Pranitha for the appreciation.
My pleasure, Sunith!
Beautiful story Sunith .Great loved it.
Thank you Excellence team.
Your Welcome !
Really good blog! We can learn from our day to day experiences about how to live a beautiful life☺
Thank you Natasha
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Thank you so much Shaloo.
Painfully beautiful… Poignant! And what it even more sad was that this was a mere child… I almost cried by the end. I kept hoping someone would save him. I hope it didn’t happen to anyone you know.
Yes Pradita it came out as a sad one but I wanted to harp on taking precautions while entering unchartered territory. It happened to me as a child while I was around 12 but was saved in time.
Oh 😱 that must have been dreadful. What a painful way you chose to drive the point home. But it was beautifully explained.
Thank you Pradita.
You’re welcome 🙂
Beautiful story
Thank you Avdhesh.
well done, Sunith – how is it that the smartest of us can sometimes be so irresponsible (including myself)?
Thank you. We have to be always on the alert as tempting waters can be intimidating.
💯💯💯💯
Incredibly powerful and moving essay – you caught the tide and rode with it – quite amazing really.
Thank you Sara for the appreciation.
The imagery is powerful. Wow. You never cease to surprise.
Thank you so much Vibha.
Can you send me the link to the story – Treasure your savings. The one you had mentioned earlier. I was unable to find it on your webpage
Here it is Vibha, hope you enjoy it as i did your version earlier
https://sunithkollara.com/2013/11/26/treasure-your-savings/
Children should never be left unsupervised, especially in beaches. Beautifully written, sir. Heartbreakingly beautiful
Yes Shweta you have conveyed it so well. Thank you
You’re most welcome 🙂