A group of children decided to go for a picnic as they had a couple of their holidays. No one could come up with an ideal venue to have their picnic. All of a sudden Maya said “What about the woods across the stream. Since we are in a group our parents would allow us.”
“Not to that place Maya. We do not even need to go out. In fact we could have it at our house, at roof top garden.” Sonia said.
“But it will be fun to take a break from our routine life and enjoy the beauty of the nature, for a change.” Maya said.
Every one supported Maya and Sonia reluctantly agreed.
Everyone agreed even all the parents, they even succeeded to make up Sonia’s mind but the main difficulty was to make Sonia’s dad to agree.
“If you really insist to go to the woods for a picnic, I may arrange a minivan to carry you people till the bank of the stream and my driver may also accompany you people. He is working with me since last ten years and is very reliable. But what if there are any wild animals?” Sonia’s dad said.
“Uncle, the woods are an overgrown part of a sanctuary. No wild animals ever go there. You can find only some small animals like squirrel, rabbit etc.” Maya said
“Ok, I have no problem then. Be ready with your food baskets. My driver and Sonia would meet all you kids at Maya’s house by 9 am tomorrow” Sonia’s dad said
Next day everyone went to the woods. They had to cross the stream which was narrow and only knee deep. Touch of cold water gave them a tingling sensation which was cool and comforting. The wood started just after the golden sandy bank of the stream ends gradually.
“Listen to the chime of the wind, isn’t it beautiful?” Maya said.
Everyone but Sonia agreed. She said, “What is so extraordinary in it? Instead we could have watched TV.”
Golden rays of the sun were peeping in through the giant trees and they found a clear grass land and stopped for some lunch. Then suddenly it started to rain but it stopped very soon. The rainbow that was formed due to the rain was a magnificent sight to watch.
“Could you have afforded to miss the rainbow Sonia?” Maya asked.
“Maybe not but I still cannot see something so special about it.” Sonia said.
Climbing on the trees and trying to catch the clouds was an important part of their picnic.
How could they have missed the stream which they had to cross before coming to the forest? The sun rays which had fallen on the stream looked as if they were dancing with the waves.
“What do you think about this Sonia?”
“It is quite a beautiful sight.”
The birds were chirping around singing sweet songs and were sitting on the trees. Some other birds with their wings spread freely were flying in the vast sky.
The squirrels were hiding their food inside the trees.
But the kids were too busy looking at the sky and guessing what could be behind the clouds by judging its shape
“There in that cloud I see that Santa clause is going somewhere with his reindeers” Maya said.
“See that cloud it seems as if a King is sitting on his throne” Sonia said
“That cloud is like a tree.” said another boy from their group.
“That cloud is like a man standing on a rock.” Another girl said.
“Maya this is the most wonderful game I have ever played.” Sonia said.
“The best is yet to come, just wait to see the night sky.” Sonia said.
The kids didn’t have to wait for very long.
The night sky was the most spectacular sight they had ever seen. The sky was looking like mother earth in a black robe. The stars were looking like twinkling diamonds scattered all over the black sky. The moon was looking like a silver plate floating in the sky.
“I could never see this sight on the TV.” Sonia said.
“There is a good thing and a bad thing about this sight. Which one do you want to hear first?” Maya said.
“Bad thing.” Sonia said
“The bad thing is this scene reminds us that it is late and we have to return back. The good thing is that this scene made you to realise that there is a world, a beautiful world outside your television but you prefer to ignore it.” Maya said.
“Yes I agree that there is a world, a beautiful world outside my television but I used to prefer to ignore it.” Sonia said.
“Let us go friends or else our parents would worry.” Maya said.
“Maya can we come here tomorrow too?” Sonia asked.
“Yes, in next weekend, if you do not have any interesting program on television Sonia.” Maya said.
Everyone including Sonia started laughing.
