Memoirs A Pond of Memories

A Pond of Memories

When I was a child, my daily journey to school was marked by a special landmark: a vast pond, a shimmering water body that served as an ecosystem for a variety of plants and birds. This pond was the best part of my route to school, a captivating sight that always held my attention. I would walk forward, but my face would remain turned towards the pond, such was the fascination it held for me.

I remember hearing tales of how the pond was a playground for boys who would swim in its clear waters, diving from a high point with joyful abandon. It was not just a playground for humans, but a communal bath for village animals as well. The water was clean, a testament to the harmonious balance of nature that the pond maintained.

On the way back from school, my friends and I would often spend time on the bank of the pond. There, platforms supported grand banyan and peepal trees, creating a natural canopy that provided shade and a place to relax. This spot was a hub of activity; in the evenings, the elderly would gather to play cards, and in the morning hours, they would sit and read newspapers. It was a place of community and connection, woven into the daily lives of everyone in the village.

As I grew older, the idyllic scenes of my childhood began to change. I learned that the government had plans to cover the pond and transform it into a community center. The process of drying up the pond started, a slow and heartbreaking transition that took years to complete. By the time the pond was gone, I had gotten married and moved away from the village. Despite the distance and the passage of time, the memories of the pond remained vivid in my mind.

The pond no longer exists, but its essence still lives on in my memories. It was more than just a body of water; it was a sanctuary for wildlife, a playground for children, a communal bath for animals, and a gathering place for the villagers. The loss of the pond marked the end of an era, but its memory continues to be a cherished part of my past, a reminder of the simple joys and profound connections that once defined my childhood.