this is the story of a robot and a butterfly.. Do tell me what you learnt from this story.
The robot was the latest addition to the science museum,and proudly occupied central location. He was situated in a hall all alone, with high security. Every day there was a long line of children who were eager to see him and talk to him. Yes, he talked. He was programmed to answer a predefined series of questions.
As soon as visitors entered the hall, they were handed the list of questions to be asked in proper order. The robot was touch sensitive. When someone would touch the robot, the robot's eyes would glow red, and that would indicate that he was ready for questions.
Q-What's your name?
A- My name is Mig 1302
Q- Who are you?
A- I am your friend
Q-What do you eat?
A-Ha Ha..I live on battery power
Q-What are you doing?
A- I am answering some basic questions about myself
He would then say "thanks, visit again" and stamp his foot and salute. This schedule went on tirelessly everyday.
It was a moonlit night, and a cool summer breeze was blowing. The glass on one of the windows was broken by some notorious kid and was to be repaired. A butterfly was wandering in the night, looking for a new home for hers was destroyed in a forest fire few days back. She curiously entered through the window and came across the robot. He was hot after the days endless working.
The butterfly sat on robot's shoulder to rest. As a result of her touch, the robot's eye glowed in the dark. The butterfly was surprised and thought of him as a living creature.
BUTTERFLY-"Hello dear, I am Angelica, and I am a butterfly"
The robot was tired and wanted to say "get lost" but all that came out was "My name is Mig 1302".
"Nice meeting you sir." replied the innocent butterfly.
He was softened by her politeness and was glad for once that he didn't shoo her off. He wanted to say "I am glad to have someone to talk to" but instead he said "I am your friend"
Butterfly was overwhelmed to find a friend. She replied, "oh.. Then I will call you Mig. You are very hot. Do you have fever? Why don't you sit down and rest and I shall bring you the nectar of chrysanthemum. It will definitely do you some good".
Once again, he wished he could tell her of his continuous and monotonous life, and his loneliness among the crowd..
"Ha Ha..I live on battery power" came the reply.
"You townfolks have strange diet. Be close to nature. Wait for me dear" said the butterfly and off she went..
The robot was amused by her naivety and at the same time impressed by her kind and friendly nature. As he stood there waiting for her to return, he missed her gentle touch and cool wings. He longed for her sweet voice. In that moment he realised that he had fallen in love. He was waiting eagerly for her arrival.
Suddenly the butterfly entered into the room. She sat on his palm this time, and said " why are you still standing? I told you to rest. Your fever seems to have gone down though."
"I am answering some basic questions about myself" replied the robot when actually his heart was worried. He wished he could tell her to stay with him.
She said, "You are giving strange answers. Maybe your fever is so high that you can't think clearly. I am glad that i could return with nectar. now open your mouth."
Robot just said, "thanks, visit again", stamped his foot and saluted.
" don't think i will soften by your tantrums. You must take your medicines"
"my name is mig 1302" came the reply..
The butterfly was now sure that her friend was very sick. she flew near his mouth as he was speaking and dropped the few drops she had brought. "This won't be enough, you are too big. I will go again"
He wanted to stop her badly, but he knew he couldn't speak.
She went out several times, every time dropping some fresh nectar on his mouth. His love for her was growing..
This time she entered and fell near the window. the robot could see an owl gazing hungrily at her from outside and trying to find a way inside. She somehow managed to reach his near his legs "Don't think that I am weak. I have survived fiercer predators. I was just a bit tired today. Now that you are with me, I am safe."
The robot was trying too tell her to hide, to not believe in him. He wanted to protect her, to be there for her. He tried his best but could only utter "i am your friend"
"i know", she whispered.
meanwhile the owl entered through the ventilator and dived at her. The butterfly was already hurt and unprepared. The robot was terrified and wanted to kill that owl but he said "Ha Ha..I live on battery power"
The owl was scared of this sudden sound and it dropped her and flew away. as the butterfly lay dying on his feet, she said "I know you are not well otherwise you would have definitely protected me. I want you to know that you are special. good luck dear"
The robot was shattered from inside. In morning the long queue and his work began. He never wanted to return to his job, but he was helpless. Everyday he thought of her and every night he tried to speak. Gradually people got bored of him. The owner replaced him with another better robot. He now lay in corner, free to grieve the death of his beloved. He never gave up trying to speak.
finally he was thrown into the junkyard.. People passing by through that place could hear some broken voices as if someone was trying to speak. They dismissed it as some internal circuit defects.
Before his battery died down, his final words were 'AN-J-LI-KA'
