Co-Existing

This earth has a plethora of things to offer. The most lovely thing someone can do is to revel in those delights.

Isn't it too cliche? Not for me.

I stumbled across a lecture in my moral studies class when I was a youngster. It was a story on the habitats of various animals. Each animal community attempts to eliminate the others. They come together and make the choice to eradicate the frogs. However, after they do so, the entire region becomes plagued with so many insects that they are forced to get the frogs back. This happens until they realize that everything is vital in order for them to balance their land. This piqued my interest. I envisaged a world in which people and animals might coexist peacefully, in which humans can just behold the beauty of this nature.

When I finally found such a location, my joy knew no boundaries. We traveled to “Papikondalu” in India. It is essentially a river trek between mountains. In the mountains, there are a few communities. And we had an overnight stay in one specific area, which I recall well to this day.

There were no limitations on both wild and domestic animals in that village. The inhabitants over there decided not to cage the animals and instead let them wander free. The animals were staying happily in the same place as the people, drinking from the same water as them. They were assisting one another and just coexisting. Seeing the beauty as it is, gives us a sense of contentment. How wonderful it is right? Just accepting the way things are in the most amazing aspect of the law of this nature.

The locals told me that they drink goat milk on a regular basis and that in return they feed and groom the goats as needed.

The photograph was taken at sunset. I used a lower ISO to obtain this photograph. After that, I altered the photograph to accentuate the orange tone of the river in order to capture its character.

I want to offer one more photo from the same location.

This is a photograph of an angry bird (just kidding, it's a hen) that I took in that hamlet after waiting 15 minutes with the camera in my hand for it to just turn towards me. The camera was getting heavy in my grip, but I waited patiently. I reduced the ISO slightly to let the colour of its nose and eyes pop out. I understand it's not professional, but I was in the process of learning and too happy to care about anything else.

When I say it's an amazing community, it's because I can't put it into words. On that day, we had our moonlight meal by the river. We slept on the grass on hay pillows in the open air, staring at the stars bathed in moonlight. The next morning, I was awakened by a rabbit that had snuggled into me while I was sleeping. I would have taken a photo of him, but I didn't have my phone or my camera with me at that time.

I had a smile on my face the entire time I was there. Nature's approach of enthralling us is to shower us with its splendor. It is our job to appreciate it fully and without limitations. This world will be more lovely in every way the day we understand this.

We returned that afternoon, but my spirit had never left that area. After I retire from my profession, I want to return there and settle down. It's the most incredible thing that's ever happened to me. In that same spot, I fell in love with the planet and its environment, and I shall carry the warmth and love that the location exuded with me everywhere I go in this very soul.