Monday, February 6, 2012

Mermaids on Earth

Old Post Alert : I wrote this when I was in school. I was taking some classes for kids in my apartment and had to tell stories. This particular story influenced me greatly. I had no idea, why I pulled it off this blog. Reposting it again, just for records.


Have you seen a mermaid, walk across and stand up with a smile?
This short story is inspired from Chicken Soup For the Women's Soul. I read the story about a week back, along with 25 other stories. After about 7 days which included 3 days of hectic travel - this is the only story that makes its rounds over and over again. I thought of it almost every night before I went to sleep. I have not read the story later on. So what follows, is a recollection of memory, and it certinaly would not be verbatim.The story goes like this. A group of children were playing in a church. The teacher, exhausted and tired wanted a simple game for the kids - Simple enough to be played without much instructions but enjoyable enough to keep kids occupied. She announced the group to stand in two lines - one line for angels and another for elves. The group was then asked to run around in circles, along with their line members. And the game went on. The teacher satisfied with her idea, sat back to relax and watch the kids play when one young girl tugged to her gown. She asked - "Where should the mermaids stand?". That question made all the difference.

In life, when we really have to do something different and come out of the ordinary - we all have to become a mermaid. It is everyone to be a angel or a elf, but only few who get to be a mermaid. It takes a lot to stand up, and say "I am a mermaid and I dare to be different"
There have been innumerable instances in my life, when I have done that. Sometimes, people find me crazy or weird. Other times, they find me pompous or secretive. There have been times when I have simply refused to go with the crowd and followed my inner call, or times when I have vehemently opposed the ways of angels and elves.
Lets go ahead and stand to be different. It is time we took the road less travelled - and became mermaids!

18 comments:

  1. Oi nice one! I don't remember reading this story - but like the meaning behind it - would have never thought of asking about the mermaids!

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    1. Kids, I say :) When I told this story - one asked if the teacher was a fairy or a witch!

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  2. Just what I needed - Thanks!!! :)

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  3. Strong words. Instills a stronger energy to break the cliche and do the unusual! :) Stay Different.

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  4. Thats such a sweet story! And a powerful one too..

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  5. "Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
    I took the one less traveled by,
    And that has made all the difference."
    Robert Frost

    :)

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  6. Daring to be different is something that is not the cup of tea for everyone, but I think it is because they do not understand what's it takes to be different or why it has to be so.

    A very meaningful post! Lovely writing,I must say.Will dig your archives when I have the time :)

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    1. Also because of socially constructed ideas :) thanks for dropping by!

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  7. That's a wonderful story. And the message couldn't be more true. Although, I don't really dare to be different, I am different. Can't really help it. And many people in real life don't get what I say or do most of the time :) I've had my share of being branded weird, strange and mostly, 'not clever'. Oh well, I prefer it that way because then you truly learn to be independent of opinions.

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    1. You have already dared! If you are called wonderfully weird :)

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  8. Well, there is always something to learn from the stories for children. And yes, this mermaid story has struck hard to me! Thanks!

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  9. very inspiring thought and the little girl in the story and in us deserves a big hug and a bigger pat

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