A Story in a Nutshell

A Story in a Nutshell

Gunjan Mullick, Chief Editor Leadership / ES / MS / PTA / Sports / Travelogue / Native Language / Gastronomy Editor

My daily walks have become an absolute necessity in my quest to remain as level-headed as possible amidst the current global crisis. Most often these walks take me winding through familiar paths and sights. Like many others living in the neighbourhood, I too and so often we continue to soldier on simply to prove to ourselves So as you navigate your way through yet another year, reeling

have encountered all kinds of wildlife on these exuberant trails. From monitor lizards, snakes to countless birds and insects, but my favourite spotting by far, was just the other day!

The sun had suddenly turned hot and bright and unknowingly I increased my pace as I walked, to keep it out of my eyes and that’s when I spotted him! A tiny, quarter-sized turtle sitting right on my path. My heart sank! His shell was dry and he was all coiled up inside. I’d never encountered one of these turtles before, let alone one this small or one right in the middle of a route that’s very popular with cyclists. They could crush a shell that small in a millisecond. He was definitely in danger!

When I knelt down to get a closer look, he stuck his tiny head out the slightest bit from its shell and stared right back. Here was a tiny creature, terrified and alone, hunkered up in his shell to stay safe from the myriad threats to his life, yet brave enough to peek at this monstrous creature who had stopped to examine him intently. For all you know it was waiting for me to get out of its way yet I chose to believe that his steely gaze was a cry for help instead. He was facing the lake but was on the far side of the path from it — a dangerous journey for a critter so small and one that he couldn’t make alone without being crushed. So, I did what anyone would do: I the path. He remained immobile in my hands, likely in shock but the moment I put him down, he scrambled through the dirty underbrush, back towards the water, he probably called home.

As I watched him walk away, and I continued on mine, I realized what this turtle had just taught me. That ever so often we get stuck in life! We hit dangerous hurdles and insurmountable roadblocks, that we can handle our problems alone. But sometimes we need help! Help from friends, family, peers, colleagues and even kind strangers, to simply walk beside us and see us through. We aren’t any weaker when we seek help. In fact, doing so is often the bravest thing one can do, as it exposes our vulnerabilities to others and vulnerability is neither winning or losing. It’s having the courage to show up and be seen when we have no control over the outcome. In keeping with our current times, it’s our greatest measure of courage. pinched him between two fingers and lifted him to the other side of

under the continued strains of uncertainty… trust the wait. Embrace uncertainty, enjoy the beauty of becoming. When nothing is certain, anything is possible!

However, if troubles and strife continue to burden you? Don’t be afraid to ask someone to lift you across the walking path to the safety of the river. You might be surprised by how great it feels.

Take it from a tiny turtle who made his way home that day.