A small lake I often visit near my home attracts such a diverse set of life forms that it reminds me how our life is entangled with water on our tiny blue planet. With a parkway around its banks, and well-grown trees on either side, it has nature's favorite colour duo, blue and green, along with the scent of fresh air and waterbody.
At its center rests a tiny island full of various trees and plants that housed the winged creatures. During the rainy season, this small island welcomes so many ducks, cranes, sparrows, herons, and various birds that one may view it as a miniature bird sanctuary. And in good numbers, turtles, snakes and fish dwell in the waters, doing their part in the food chain.
Slightly above the ground, dragonflies moved from point to point swiftly, lingering in the air for a moment, leaving a minute trail of shimmering wings on their path. A hazel-coloured young butterfly tried to land on a leaf while bracing the breeze which appeared to be too much for her wings. Refusing to give up, she gives another try giving everything she has in those flaps and at last, she lands and locks firmly onto the leaf, now swaying back and forth with it.
In mid-air, two grey pigeons with a patch of white on their neck flew merrily. Though rapidly changing course, they kept a perfect unison between them. Seeing this dance in the sky makes one wonder how the one in the back knew which way to turn at the exact moment when the leading pigeon did.
Far away, at the centre of the lake, the cranes appeared as elongated white spots which stood still on a green background. Every now and then, they stretched their wings and glided around to find themselves a new comfortable spot. And right above the island in the sky, the best of the flyers circled around effortlessly, eyeing for their next prey.
As I sat down on one of the benches facing the lake, hundreds of people circling it passed by, each portraying a different emotion and demeanour. Two middle-aged women, friends or neighbours, whispering in low voices - sharing secrets; A group of four ladies, one of them saying loudly "she won't talk at all" and laughing together- gossiping and friendship; An old man in a red sweater facing away from the lake, wearing loafers and creating noise while his feet brushed the ground - old age; A small child come close to me to take a peek at my laptop. But her mother who was on the phone tugged her away to keep moving. The child kept turning back still wondering - curiosity unfulfilled. An old couple in their sixties passed by holding hands. A smile on her face and a grin on his as if he had just said something funny and witty which impressed her all over again. They had withstood the test of time - love.
And finally, a father and what seems to be his two-year-old child came by and stood behind the metal barricades of the lake. The child while still having wrapped his fist around his father's finger gazed at the water for a while and then picked up a small stone. A pause before the moment of discovery. He then aimlessly tossed the stone in his hand onto the lake and watched it hit the surface. A splash of water, his stone disappearing to never be seen again, that fun "doink" sound, the perfectly concentric ripples, rings around rings, waves over waves, the shimmering reflections of setting sun rays. A sensation that he would cherish throughout his life, an act he will repeat a thousand times, alone, with his friends and family, a person he'd love and perhaps his own seedlings in the future. He jumped screaming with laughter, and excitement. His father observing this smiled at him as if agreeing to what his son felt, “indeed son". The child then went on to pick up another stone and threw it. No one ever stops at just one
He continued to throw stone after stone showing no lack of enthusiasm, a jump and a giggle every time. After what seemed to be enough new stones in the lake, his father turned and started to pull the hand his child held to start moving. Lost between his new discovery and obeying the call of his dad, the child still looking towards the water, started to take one small step at a time, and paused to pick another stone and throw it into the lake, a rebellious spirit. Except for the two which hit the metal barricade and bounced back over his shoulder, the last of the stones went in successfully. The child thoroughly satisfied started stepping fast to match his father's slow long strides, wiping the mud-stained hands on his shorts. A spectacular event to witness.
By seeing the number of people this lake draws to it at dawn and dusk, without a doubt this is their favourite place to be in this part of the day. Some jog, some run, a lot just walk slowly around the lake and a few like to sit on a bench and take in the view, immersed in their thought.
This small patch of water can be a home for many life forms for the entirety of their life. It also brings health, comfort, and joy to many others. Providing space for building relationships, strengthening bonds and creating memories. Each such water body however large or small mimics this throughout our planet. Giving life, supporting and nurturing it and reminding us again, that water is truly the stuff for life.