River of World

Once upon a morning, I strolled to the river side to enjoy it's tranquility and sight of beauty and loveliness. Just as the birth of a child bring joy to every eye in the family, so also is the dawn of the morning. It seems to spread joy on the riverside. On the bank of the river there were several boats lying at rest. A boatman stood by one, eagerly awaiting passengers. In the middle of the river, there were many others with countless fishermen and boatmen who had an early start at the day's work. 

Looking at those boats, I thought in my mind. "Man is a boat sailing from the bank of birth, across the river of world to the other bank; the bank of death". It is true we are all born equals but we are not all equals. While some lead, others follow. Howbeit, we shall all pay the ultimate price of death. But some shall die and stay dead like heavy precipitates. Others shall die and live forever; in thoughts, speeches and blessed memories. Lives of great men reminds us that we can make our lives sublime, we can die and leave behind us foot prints on the sand of time; boats on the bank of death. 

Behold! I looked across the river and saw on the other bank only a few boats, most of which were small. The "mighty" had capsized under the sway of the turbulent river. If the river had been calm all through, it would have led to nowhere - it is not a pond. While they crossed the river of world, most times the river was turbulent, at times calm. Only the upright boats get to the other bank. Only the wise fishermen get there with a catch. The foolish ones greedily filled their boats with catch and sink halfway. Some others get there without a catch; many more just abandon the voyage and accept defeat. 

The river of world is tasteless and calm for those who have taken the navigable part - the path of peace. It is turbulent and salty for those who try to find a short cut in violence and war. It is not how fast but how well. Some boats start early but end with no catch; some take their time and exercise wisdom. They start late and end well, with a big catch.