Jailer

Author(s): Abhayshekharsuri, Sujata P Kapadia
Publisher: Harshadray Private Limited

Page 26

above, there are parrots, crows and rabbits. This was really entertaining. At our house, we close the windows every night and switch on the air-conditioner whereas here, all of us used to sleep in the open, under a canopy of stars, in the moonlight with a gentle breeze blowing. I have never slept so well! The best thing was that the whole family used to sleep together giving each other warmth. At our home, we all have our separate rooms - sister, you and I. There is no way of knowing who is awake, asleep or in need. Here, someone suddenly got high fever one night. Everyone woke up immediately. I got to experience what a family is all about. One person was pressing the sick person's legs, another was pressing his head and someone else was applying wet, cold compress to his head. The fever went down in an hour, not with all this nursing but with all the affection and sympathy associated with it. In the morning, the patient was absolutely fine. Father, one day, the teacher had asked us which was the best therapy for healing. One student said, 'Allopathy', another student said, 'Homeopathy', while a third one said, “Naturopathy'. The teacher, rejecting all the answers had said, 'Sympathy'. Father, I clearly understood the teacher's answer here. I forgot to mention one important thing. Every night, before retiring, the family used to gather together and talk about their experiences of the day. The conversation reflected everyone's love and trust for each other. Has our family sat together for even half an hour? There are times we sit together to watch television. The irony is that though the whole family is together, no one is talking to each other. There is no enthusiasm to talk or to listen to