PART-01
Dhathri opened her eyes after a deep sleep. Her excitement couldn’t be contained. "It's my 10th birthday!" she exclaimed loudly in her mind. You see, that is the maximum an introverted-quiet kid can express. The mind bubbles with a plethora of emotions, while the face remains stoic.
She imagined the amount of limelight that would fall on her and the interactions that she would be forced to encounter. She sighed and moved out of her room to get ready. Her grandmother was waiting to wish her at the door. Grandma!! She ran towards her and hugged her.
Her grandmother's warm smile and gentle touch always made Dhathri feel safe, as if nothing in the world could go wrong as long as she was there. Her grandma was her anchor, the North Star, the guiding force, and solace in her little world.
The entire day was much better than she had initially imagined. The evening was filled with love, laughter, and food. She had a good time with her friends and family until she realized she had to drop her friend to her home late in the evening.
The very thought of passing underneath a massive tree, which stood eerily at the end of the road, sent shivers down her spine, making her excitement fade.
The tree had a wide trunk, and its branches stretched outwards as though it had multiple strong arms and lengthy fingers with sharp nails. She feared one of those would pick her up and gobble her. Added to it, the cool breeze, rustling leaves, the light that peeked through the branches, and the creepy shadow that it created, would scare her to the core.
Despite her strong desire to avoid the tree, she had no choice but to walk past it. The good thing was that this time her mother was accompanying her. She mustered her courage and decided to take the path she usually avoids.
PART-02
Grandma!!!! She yelled with triumph as soon as she reached home. The grandma curiously came out of the room to see what that yell was all about.
She questioned her Grandma - Weren't you saying fear is like a shadow that follows us the more we focus on the fear?
Her grandma responded in a calm demeanor - Of course, yes, I recall.
Dhathri confidently said - I spoke to that shadow of mine.
Grandma smiled with interest - Oh, interesting! Can you tell me more about it?
Dhathri, in her chirpy tone, explained - After we dropped my friend off at her home, Amma and I were walking back, and we reached the infamous tree. Unfortunately, just as we were nearing the tree, Amma ran into a friend and began chatting. I had no choice but to stand beneath the huge tree.
Grandma's eyes widened. How terrifying it must have been for you!
Yes, it was! Dhathri admitted. But then, I saw my shadow and it was twice my height. I felt the shadow asked me to look up. For a moment, I thought - I am a year older today. How long will I let this tree scare me?!
Summoning all the courage, I slowly started to gaze at the tree. My hands trembled slightly, but I remembered today is my 10th birthday.
Dhathri continued - The tree wasn’t as scary as it appeared to be. The moonlight had shed its warm light on the golden-yellow leaves, which were shimmering in grace. The branches no longer looked like monsters. Rather, it felt as though they had stretched out to give me the biggest hug. In between the branches, I could see the glittering stars. I felt as though the breeze circled me and took off the fear that had engulfed me!
Wonderful! Grandma exclaimed. I think you have given yourself a wonderful gift.
With a puzzled look on her face, she asked - What gift, Grandma?
The gift of courage, my child! It is only because you had the courage to face your fear, you attempted to look up. The way you looked at the tree changed the moment you acknowledged your fear and tackled it. And my brave child, remember, to conquer fear is the beginning of wisdom! :)
Dhathri's face lit up with a proud smile. She hugged her grandma and hit the bed, feeling a quiet sense of victory, already wondering which fear she would want to conquer next. ;)