The Night

Dusk was the meeting point for the Day and Night. They were eager to see each other always first because they liked each other and their ...

Dusk was the meeting point for the Day and Night. They were eager to see each other always first because they liked each other and their friendship was as old as the universe and second because they knew they had very little time and lot of responsibilities, and if they missed this chance, they did not know when they would get the next chance. Only once or twice in a year day lingered more or night took liberties8230; otherwise they followed strict rules.

Day always treated night as his equal. But he was aware of her power and strength. He knew that the Sun stood to receive her with all his splendour and colours and birds sang to welcome her. And the naughty stars did not dare to come in his presence. She alone could stand the scorching heat of the Sun.

One day it was the rarest of the rare occasions and they both were relaxed and enjoying the drizzling rain in the evening.

Then Day said casually, 8220;I have been thinking, the world has changed so much. In old days there was distinct difference between day and night and daytime work and night time work. But now anybody can do anything at any time. There is so much light at night that I hardly recognise you8230; You also seem to enjoy the thousands of lights showered on you.8221;

8220;Nobody needs me for their work now. Most of the young generation sleeps off the day and prefers to work when you are around,8221; said Day.

No one will notice my absence if I retire now. So I think I should go to he forest and live there in seclusion like the Indian hermits do. 8220;What do you say to all this, my ever eluding Night?8221; asked Day.

Though, Day had said all this in a light casual mood, Night instantly knew he was serious and somewhat hurt. This was unexpected. In their long friendship, she had never seen him in such a mood and he had never talked to her like this before.

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She knew she had great soothing powers. Her mere presence was enough to calm down many. But Day was neither angry nor tired. On the contrary, he was calm and she, wanted to soothe him badly8230; 8220;Oh God! please8230;, let the right words come through me,8221; she prayed earnestly to God and then with a trembling voice said, 8220;In the long lives that we have shared together, it would be naive to think that you are sorry about the general state of the universe and are generally depressed now. I do not ask the reason for your present mood. If you want to enjoy your sorrow instead of this beautiful rain, enjoy it by all means. But do not ever say you are not needed. Do not ever say that nobody will notice your absence!8221;

Day fixed his gaze on Night but did not say anything.

Night continued, 8220;I know in the general scheme of the universe, everything revolves round you and I am a mere shadow. But nothing is important to me than having known you. And the friendship with you is the highest point of my life. But I must not tell you about my life8230;8221;

8220;So please remember this, when you think of retiring, there won8217;t be anymore nights. There will be total darkness. Let them illuminate it with thousands of lights sir, but I will not be there to enjoy it as you think and still you are free to say nobody will notice your absence8230;,8221; said Night.

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Two burning tears fell from her eyes. To avoid them she turned her face and stopped talking.

The sky was unusually quiet and the stars were afraid to come out. They were aware that something serious was going on between these two good friends and their beloved Night was crying. Day reached for the night, turned her face and said, 8220;so I have to suffer so much just to here those very words8230; Remember this my dear Night, it will do me no harm if you utter those very words again and again without me going into my thinking mania!8221; and reaching out for her and holding her into his arms he said, 8220;I am as proud of our friendship as you are and I love you very much8230;!8221;

There was a strange light in the sky and the stars started coming out in a rush knowing that everything was all right between the two friends and the people out there on the earth said they had never seen such a strange and beautiful light in the sky on such a rainy night with so many twinkling stars8230; Only the stars and the sky knew the secret of the light and they twinkled even more with happiness.