Metamorphosis

March 24, 2020- The day everything changed. A Nation-wide lockdown was announced in India due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The times were tough, but Ananya could feel the hope in the air. She was sure that everything would be okay at the end, if everyone stayed united by staying distant.

Ananya was a 14-year-old girl who loved to meet new people and travel. So, at first, she was a little disappointed knowing that she would have to stay home for the next few days, possibly even months. But she tried looking at the bright side and counted her blessings. She spent time with her family, read e-books and punctually attended her online classes.

She noticed how everyone in the family was dealing with the pandemic in different ways- Mum and Dad were busier than usual as they worked from home. Her younger brother was absolutely delighted because he had more time than usual to play and draw, and he seemed to enjoy his virtual classes too.

Ananya found it to be very amazing how everyone was connected through the internet, even though they were physically far apart. The way they had adapted to using technology to do nearly everything was remarkable.

But then, Ananya noticed how her grandmother was feeling lonely and upset. She realized that Dadi was missing her long walks in the park, talking to neighbours and visiting relatives. She was not very tech-savvy, which meant that she would not be able to have virtual interactions like the rest of the family. Ananya wanted to help her grandmother and make her cheerful and happy again.

“Dadi, let’s go on the terrace and stroll for some time.” Ananya told her Dadi one day. She knew that it could not replace the pleasure of being in the park, but something is better than nothing, isn’t it?

Dadi smiled at Ananya and nodded. And Ananya knew that she had liked going for a walk with her, when Dadi herself asked her for a stroll on the terrace the next day. Both of them enjoyed each-other’s company, and soon Ananya knew everything about Dadi’s childhood and the old days, and Dadi could name each Bollywood movie that had released in the past few years.

Ananya also video-called all the relatives and the neighbors one by one. She loved how Dadi smiled so brightly, every time she saw someone she hadn’t been able to meet because of the pandemic. Seeing someone without physically going to meet them seemed to be magical to Dadi. She seemed to be so enthusiastic every day, and there was no trace of sadness in her.

“Ananya, will you teach me how to video call people? PM Modi has said we need to be self-dependent after all,” Dadi asked Ananya one day. The sparkle in her eyes could not be missed by anyone in the house.

Ananya was thrilled. The zest to live and learn in her Dadi, even at her age, greatly impressed her.

“I’d love to Dadi! In no time you would know how to text, call and video call anyone.” Ananya promised.

And she stayed true to her words. It took time for Dadi to learn, and she would often forget, but Ananya patiently helped umpteen times. In a few weeks, Dadi could easily text, call or video-call anyone from her brand-new smartphone.

Ananya was proud of how she had helped her grandmother overcome adversity.

Spending time with her Dadi, and the process of teaching her how to use technology, taught Ananya lessons no text book could ever teach her. She learnt the importance of staying connected to one’s roots and how a few kind gestures could mean a lot to someone. Most importantly, she experienced Mudita- pure, unselfish joy that is derived from other people's well-being.

Somehow, she felt that Mother Nature was not punishing human beings through this pandemic. She was trying to convey a message. She wanted to give them another chance to build strong, everlasting relationships with each-other. She wanted them to overcome these obstacles together, and emerge victorious unitedly. This pandemic was a time for metamorphosis for everyone- for becoming butterflies from caterpillars and flying high.

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Love Goohika ✨