New Year Tree House !!!

It was the last day of the year 2006. I was sitting in the second floor balcony of my house feeling really gloomy. Yes, it was an eventful 2006, so many nice things had happened. I was sad to let go off it. But then the upcoming New Year would be no less beautiful, I am sure. So, that was not the reason I was gloomy.

The whole of the 2006 I had dreamt of having a house of my own, my first and only piece of real asset that I would have had on this whole big world. The only space that I could call as belonged to me, the one which I had earned from my own money. Not something that my father or grandfather had worked hard for and that I got on a platter. This was something for which I would have toiled. I always dreamt of one such place all my life. But this year, those dreams had begun to take shape and color. I had gone down to the specifics of what exactly I needed. I had spelt out my dream on to paper. Being a practical man, I had not dreamt of a house with a sea facing balcony or a bungalow with numerous rooms that I would never ever really get to know. My dreams were more down to earth. A small house in a very decent locality, nothing too posh or luxurious. Not something that attracted attention all through the city. Just some place which was warm and cosy and sheltered me from the weather.

A few months into the year 2006 I started making the moves to make my dream come true. After checking out a few properties, I finally had my eye on one that promised to give the colors to my dream. I was all excited. My dream was going to see the light of day. I got the legal and financial nod and went about laying the bricks of my dream. It was a big strain on my purse but it was worth it. If everything went according to plan, come 2007 and I would have a place that truly belonged to me. Something that was born out of my dreams, my aspirations, my hard work and my money.

But alas.... it was not to be. My patience had to be tested. I was not to be given a dream house this early. I had to wait for some more time. My dreams were to remain dreams for some more time. The satisfaction of owning a place that I could call my own was not going to happen right away. The property I had invested my dreams, my hard earned money money was caught in a legal muddle. Apparently the legal advice that I had sought was not the best in town and I was now in a mess. I tried my best to break a compromise so as not to let the night consume my dreams. But... It was not up to me. The powers to be decided otherwise and I was in troubled waters. The thought of my beloved dream shackled in legal wrangles brought about great anguish in me. But I wanted to be positive. I did not want to get sucked into any kind of depression. Unwilling to get mowed down by disappointment I tried to take the philosophical view on things. It helped put back a smile on my face, mostly. But there were days like this day when I felt totally gloomy.

My thoughts were disturbed by the squeaking of the squirrels. There was a huge tree in front of my house. A couple of squirrels had made the tree their home. And now as I sat in my balcony pondering over things, I saw these squirrels scampering around on the tree. One of the branches of the tree had been cut and only a part of it was still remaining. My dad often placed rice, bread or chappathis on this cut branch which acted like a dining table for the squirrels. But unfortunately, this left the squirrels open to attack from the crows that frequented the tree. But I was really impressed by the positive attitude of these squirrels. They were not really bothered about the numerous ravens that tried to attack them. They were happily running around the tree, frolicking in the warmth of the December sun.

My thoughts were wandering around, but mainly based on the three things that were happening. Firstly, in a few hours the new year would be dawning. Secondly, the New Year was dawning and I was feeling sad, coz my dream for the year 2006 of owning a house of my own had not seen the light of day in 2006. And thirdly, the happy squirrels scampering on the tree. As I sat down for lunch, I got an idea. Yes, I did not have a home of my own yet. But at least I could make one for some one who is homeless. I went to the nearby market and brought a few things that I needed to put my plan into action. I spent the rest of the afternoon making a waterproof, rain resistant home for the squirrels....

Once I had finished the job, I felt great. Yes, I had many worries of my own. May be I was not happy that my dreams could not come true. But atleast I had provided a home for someone else and I felt very good about that. But atleast I had provided a shelter for someone. May be 2007 would provide me a house of my own.

Happy New Year !!!