A mother’s instinct

Warming his hands by the pitiful flame he looked up and smiled.

“Maa, how did you know that I was cold?” he asked his mother.

“I’m your mother. I just know.” His mother smiled as she replied.

“I know when you need comfort, when you feel under the weather.”

 

He laughed then, a gay sound filled with the joy of childhood

It rang in the frigid air like a musical peal, deep and resonating.

He stoked the fire with a stick, added a few slender logs of wood

And soon the flames leapt up as if in a dance, as if celebrating.

 

The amber glow burned bright with the happiness they felt

The aroma of pine soon permeated the air where they both sat.

Gradually the fire subsided, its embers subdued to red welts

And in the mellow warmth they basked, swatting at the gnats.

 

They made quite the pair symbolizing the most real bond of all

That a mother’s instinct shall always be to protect, to nurture;

She will rise above the odds to shield her child against any call

She will stand and block, to the best of her ability and stature.

 


Image – Jacob Lagerstedt

 

 

 

Spread the love

About Sonal Singh

An author, storyteller, and full-time observer of life’s glorious absurdities. I write humour-laced stories where chaos wears fluffy fur, emotions arrive uninvited, and middle-class Indian households become ecosystems of drama, love, and unsolicited advice. Armed with sarcasm, caffeine, and alarming emotional attachment to stray creatures, I believe compassion is less of a virtue and more of a lifestyle disorder. One that I embrace. When I’m not writing, I’m usually busy running a full-time HR consultancy business, rescuing animals, or trying to maintain dignity while being emotionally manipulated by my pets. Through my literary work, I try to blend humour with heart, celebrating the messy coexistence of humans and non-humans in modern urban India.

Check Also

Space in my soul

That space in my soul The one that I guarded with All the beats of …

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *