Autobiography of the Ugly Duckling

Hello, Everyone! I am one of the earliest inhabitants of Plantville, but infamous one though. I was severed off my mother a year ago along with my siblings. I shouted at the gardener – “Oy! I’m very small! Not yet. Wait for some time!” in vain, only to be severed and plopped into a plastic bag of sand and other essential food along with my siblings, who were happily settling themselves in their tents. Well, they would be, ‘coz they’re well grown and can show off their buds or flowers and some would mature in a matter of days, unlike me, who looked like an ugly duckling!

But I remembered what my mom told me before I was severed, “Honies! Listen to momma! No matter how hard your future be, always be optimistic and repeat to yourself during times of hardship – ‘This’ll pass by’” and that’s what I kept repeating to myself, but it seemed that my hardships wouldn’t pass by ever! Many people visited me in the nursery and excitedly picked my brothers and sisters throwing a disgustful look at me.
Finally it was a hot summer day when I was picked up by my dear owner. I was so excited, at the same time terrified too. May be he was going to throw me away after seeing that I looked ugly? I shut my eyes tight, praying silently, repeating the mantra my mom taught me. In few minutes, the earth shook around me and wind blew hard. My heart sank! May be I am being thrown into the dumpster! Oh no! I opened my eyes to see that there were other friends around me and I was in my owner’s scooterette!
I was picked! I was picked! The fear flew away with the wind. In a matter of hours, I was tucked into my new, spacious room! Wow! That felt great – to have your own room! Days later, a friend arrived. He looked harmless, but in a matter of few days, he grew like a monster, demanding the entire room! My owner soon plucked him out, giving back the room to myself! I didn’t live in glory in Plantville though. No one looked at me when I came in. No red carpets, or band orchestra!
My ancestors didn’t feature Old Hag’s (Iruvâkshî) stories and all around me, my friends bloomed crazily. Few mocked at me too and said, “He’s never gonna mature.”
I felt like crying, but didn’t do so. I didn’t want to express my emotions and make myself week and so I held my head high. My owner always smiled at me which made me feel great … special! Then came the twins who shared my room. I was initially wary of them. I wasn’t all that glad they’re gonna share my huge room and I silently prayed that they’d go away. Somehow they’ll be plucked away like my previous monstrous friend.
That didn’t seem to happen and soon the twins grew fast. Rains came by… Autumn blew by… Winter gushed forwards… The twins and I became thick friends. They always told me how beautiful I was and how beautiful I’d grow into soon, bearing blooms that’d shut the others’ mouths. Though I knew they were saying that just to console me, the words felt great. By Winter’s strong rains, the twins began bearing flowers and they looked beautiful.I sighed and turned my face away. Before the winter went past, my twins were infested. I was alarmed for them. Our owner tried his best to treat them, but the life was over for them. Somehow, I felt guilty. Was it my prayers that brought this to them? I cried as they were pulled out. I felt wretched and sulked always. No matter what my owner whispered to me, I couldn’t get the thought that I killed my buddies out of my mind.
Weeks later, one fine morning, I felt different! Something has changed in me… I felt that I’ve grown! I looked at myself and realized that I was bearing buds! Like my friends told me! A week later, I was all blooming and became the center of attraction. That felt awesome! Everyone said how beautiful I looked. How great my flower looked! How different I looked now! Wow! That feels awesome! If only my friends were here to share my joy… [sigh]

Desert Rose - Adenium obesum