It had been a long, draining day. My head was full of problems that seemed impossible to untangle — deadlines pressing like weights on my shoulders, half-finished tasks piling up, and a gnawing sense of frustration that no amount of planning seemed to ease. Even the simplest decisions felt exhausting, and every step forward seemed to be met with resistance. Out of despair and helplessness, I just got up and left. I walked aimlessly, hoping the evening air would quiet the noise inside me, though the tension in my chest refused to relent.
That’s when I noticed her. A little girl stood beneath a tree, tugging at a kite hopelessly knotted in the branches. She pulled and pulled, but the string wouldn’t budge. I moved forward to help her. Probably one soul that I can help today. Probably one task, that I could achieve. She seemed to understand and stepped back with a smile inviting me to try. Curious, I stepped forward and tried myself, but the kite resisted, stubborn and tangled. With time I got frustrated. My despair came rushing back. If I wasn't able to do these simple things, how would I solve the bigger problem in life, I wondered. I almost gave up. My shoulders dropped under the burden of failure.
She watched me struggle, tilting her head with a quiet confidence, and said, “Uncle, sometimes the kite just won’t come down easily. You have to keep trying… keep at it, no matter how many times it slips away.”
Her words sank in. I took a deep breath, adjusted my grip, and tried again. Slowly, carefully, with patience and persistence, I managed to free the kite.
Her face lit up as the kite got free. The twinkle in her eyes made every effort worthwhile. "I told you" she said and walked away with the kite. I walked back with a lesson. In that moment, I realized this wasn’t just about a kite. The little girl beneath the tree had shown me something far greater — that life’s knots, no matter how tight, loosen only when you refuse to give up.
As I walked away, I heard the temple bells. It was Durga Ashtami today. My thoughts drifted to the festival of Ashtami, to Goddess Durga riding her lion with courage and unyielding determination. Like Durga, we face challenges that test every ounce of our strength, demanding persistence and resilience. And just as the kite finally soared free, so too could our struggles, if met with patience, courage, and the quiet power of perseverance.
Maybe it was just chance that this happened on Asthami. Or Maybe.... just Maybe Ma Durga had herself come to me at the time of despair. Who knows....?
True sir ....patience and perseverance is the key
ReplyDeleteGood read, everone needs a push once in a while, who knows daya kahan atki hui hai.
ReplyDeleteSometimes it is the pure heart of a child which cuts through the clutter and shows us the path of light and true action.
ReplyDeleteAs always, it is a pleasure to read your blog.
What a beautiful writeup sir...enjoyed reading it 🫡
ReplyDeleteBeautifully written sir….lovely read , it’s amazing how something so small can make us learn so meaningful things.
ReplyDeleteVery well written!
ReplyDeleteExcellent thought process ...really njoyed reading this
ReplyDeleteNo knot in life is too tight—patience, persistence, and courage can always set it free.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully jotted it down in a simplest form to understand this philosophy.
We all are born with enormous wisdom and the God made us Hanuman, who forgot his strength at the time of need (when we think things are becoming tough). At that time we need some kick, some push, need the Jambad to make us remember our strength. Here the Girl in form of Maa Goddess just reminded the strength and the hardened knot, which was tighten enough few moments before, just opens up.
Lot of times we play the role of Jambad to guide others and when it comes ro us we just forget.
Normal human behavior.
👍 👍👍
Valuable lesson for us all
ReplyDeleteInspirational story. Life is not a destination it is a journey . we move forward only when we put continue efforts by not ignoring smallest suggestions.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, Patience and Persistence are true superPowers. 🌸 We’re always being guided by the divine—sometimes we recognize the signs and follow them, and other times we miss them. Your post captured this so beautifully … loved reading it, as always! 🙏
ReplyDeletePerseverance is the key....message put across so well, Sir....in our profession as physicians also, we have to be 'patient' with the 'patient'....
ReplyDeleteLovely piece!
ReplyDeleteThe universe has a way of peppering our paths with lifelines. All we need are the eyes to perceive these clues and that, once again, depends on how we choose to see!
Love this.......
ReplyDeleteA beautiful written piece teaching us the basics of life which we tend to forget quite regularly.Perseverance is a quality which will hold you good through trying times.Maa Durga embodies the spirit through her grace, perseverance and courage.
ReplyDeleteInspirational
ReplyDeleteMy teacher would always say consider every problem or situation as an opportunity
Valuable lesson indeed ...Perseverance is required to perfect just about any skill.
ReplyDeleteMore than self belief it's the little words of encouragement that motivates for the final push in the task. All may take the task to the clif but the final push needs small small motivations which ultimately results in accomplishments of big tasks.
ReplyDeleteNice that you brought out this important fact
No knot is too tight, indeed. Well written Atul
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ReplyDeleteYes Sir, it truly is.
I believe Durga Maa whispered it and I hold on to that faith Sir.
The saying “Never give up” is a mantra for life, yet I feel it’s not always easy to live by. At times, the soul gets overwhelmed in hardships and struggles to rise again.
But when one encounters such an incident as you did, it brings hope and helps us realize the true sense of perseverance.
Sir, the way you shared your experience beautifully reflected the essence of those words- patience, perseverance and perspective.
Truly motivating and thought provoking Sir.
Warm Regards
This piece beautifully captures the essence of Durga Ashtami, weaving together a moment of despair, a child's wisdom, and the symbolism of Goddess Durga with graceful simplicity. A reminder that even life’s greatest knots eventually loosen with steady resolve.
ReplyDeleteYou were blessed today Atul. No doubt about that. 👍🏻
ReplyDeleteWonderful way to give a message of life, sir. You convey the strength of persistence in a story form, easy to understand and emulate.
ReplyDeleteExcellent message in a very beautiful manner. God is there and comes in any form to guide us. We just have to feel the God like you did...Wonders are there everywhere if we seek for them. God bless and keep writing like this
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful thought Atul. Life is indeed full of such moments, kind of a dish where our options of ingredients are perseverance, persistence amd diligence, i.e. just doing our best untiringly and then taking the result in our stride. Warm regards, Sandeep Mehndiratta
ReplyDeleteLesson of life ..put very simply in words . Persistence & patience is the key but unfortunately human nature is to panic & complicate matters . Nice one yet again sir.
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