Ever came across a big stone Statue, placed in the very heart of a big garden? It's like the most prettiest and at the same time, the most saddest thing in all its surrounding. Prettiest.. can be understood.. but Saddest makes one wonder! Well, this big piece of stone, beautifully carved and nicely polished, is carefully brought and placed all alone in the center of a vast land.. isn't that sad?
People from all over the world come there. They see it standing.. some are awed by its beauty, some by its size, and some by its craftsmanship. Then there are some people that pass by this big piece of stone and don't even bother to turn and look at it, let alone throw in a word of appreciation. Then we have our all time critics, that no matter how perfect something may be, know how to find flaws in it. These are the ones from whom you can expect things like -"what a waste of space?", "Its nice but somehow not appropriate for this place", "Couldn't they find anything better?".. etc etc etc.
Now imagine the dogs, free to wander in parks, coming and peeing right next to this monument.. the birds taking break from their tiring flights, sitting and shitting on this huge mass!! Are you getting the crisis yet?
If not, then imagine our wonderful nature.. The bright sunny afternoons, no matter how bright, they are still full of scorching sun, and our stone man stands right under it all day. The beautiful awaited monsoons, reminding you of old movies and romantic songs.. u still got umbrellas handy if you don't wanna get wet, wish our stone hero had some shelter too! Finally, the shivering chilly winters, when we all snug under blankets in front of bonfires, and this lonely mass of stone still stands right there, with snow all over it.
Are we coming close to the dilemma? Can we feel the torture?
Has anyone ever seen it move, any part of it, or talk, or cry, or even laugh at times? No, cos it never did.. never got a chance to express how it feels, what it's been through.. never asked for mercy.. never got angry.. never cried, probably coz never felt the pain.. or probably cos the pain was so bad that it couldn't muster even a tear. No one cares, and that doesn't bother it, or even if it does, can it do something about it.. no, i guess! Did we ever think about it.. of course not.. and why should we? In fact the very first thing coming to your mind would be.. why the hell am i talking about the unexisting feelings of a stone statue?
I'll tell you why.. because, when i say all this, i put myself in place of this poor stone statue. Try it and you'll know. There comes a time in every one's life when a person feels like a lonely stone statue that no one cares about and who can't express anything it feels. A time when all hopes are lost, all joys are gone, even sadness disappears.. all that's left of everything is a void.. a void inside of us, with no trace of people around. there's no one to talk to, not even yourself, cos wen you do, all you get in response is a stark cold silence.. no word.. not even a syllable. You don't cry when u r hurt, you don't fight wen sum one throws a stone at you and you don't laugh wen some one in your vicinity cracks a joke.. all because you simply cant.. just like the statue.
This is when you actually understand the feeling of being lonely and lifeless. This is when your conscience stops talking to you. This is when all you get as a response to all your questions is a silence.. the Stoned Silence!
