The Other

On the edge of a small town

Under a tree an old man sat down

With life’s chores he was done

Now he cherished the company of air and Sun

As the old man basked

A rider stopped by and asked

“Are the people of this town good and kind”

“But why do you want to find”

“Am looking for a place to settle down

As I have left a town

Where people are very bad and lack all grace

So, desperately I look for a new place ”

“Brother, you better move on

For people of this town are masters of con

They are wicked and vile

Treachery is their only style”

As the rider moved on to depart

Another man arrived on his bullock cart

He also expressed a desire to settle down

And enquired about the character of the town

“Son, how about people of the village you dwelled?”

Up with tears the traveller’s eyes welled

“People there are loving and nice

They live happily without a single vice

I look for a place here for economic reason

But I will remember those people in every season”

“Son, you are welcome

Here people are more loving than from where you come”

A young boy listened to all this

With surprise he was amiss

“Grandfather, why opposite things did you say

To two persons in a single day”

“The other is hell

If in your heart, hate you allow to dwell

Like heaven the other would appear

If with love your heart you steer

Whatever you perceive

The universe will achieve

Whatever you send forth comes back manifold

Life is an echo” the old man told