The "Little" Knight of Tomorrow

I saw him once by the path running between the row of houses playing with his friends - a seller stones and leaves. The people passing by paid little attention to these little merchant and buyers of stones and leaves and they in turn did not bother the big ones. I guess all they wanted were "little customers" just like them who would know the worth and bargain for their "precious merchandise." They carried on their merry play in that narrow lane and perhaps till dark until they were called home.

Then again there he was as I walked home through that lane, all by himself with a piece of wood for a sword battling imaginary foes. Slashing the bushes and the hitting the rocks he carried on his battle and reminded me of my own little battles in the backyard just like him. The lid of a tin-container was a "strong and mighty shield," a broad piece of wood was a "sword," a long piece of bamboo with a pointed end was a "lance." Bushes were cut down, banana trees speared (much to the displeasure of my mother), dragonflies were "flying enemies," and every "fallen" tree a victory. I had my battles then and never lost one, never lost "a friend" I was trying to protect, never lost "a comrade-in-arms." Today the battles have taken on a different nature and some are won, some are lost.

That "little knight of the narrow lane" too has may more battles coming his way and with each passing moment, those battles will come closer to reality. Good that for the moment it is imagined, better that he wins them all, but they will not last. As I paused and lingered for a while to watch him play, I only hoped he would be ready when his "tomorrow" comes.