Don't underestimate the little butterflies

School’s Annual day brings in a lot of excitement and fun. One, because it marks the end of a strenuous year, and gives the children an opportunity to dance, be playful and break out from the mundane study schedule.

It was my kid’s annual day on 18^th.Feb, one day after his birthday. On his birthday we had a party, and he ate as many chocolates as he could lay his hands on. During that night he had an upset stomach and vomited out everything he had consumed during the day. We feared that he may not be able to participate in his school’s annual day, since he was dehydrated and energy less. We thought we will call the school and inform them that Bhargav won’t be performing in the annual day. But he persisted, so we allowed him to go.

There he was, a lower kindergarten kid, dehydrated and energy-less, but not spirit-less. He was super excited to be a part of the annual day. Indeed, he had practiced hard for this day, and he didn’t want to let it slip.  At just 4 years, he was getting a chance to show the world, how to dance, and how to be happy, tapping the feet. 

While I was dropping him to school, I told him that we are planning to get a big banner with his name printed on it and we all will shout “Bushy Bushy” (his nickname). I dropped him to his class and told the teacher not to exert him much. Teached assured me that she will take good care of him and not exert him much.

I came back home, only to return after 2 hours, when the annual day would actually start. The kids had to be dropped early, so that they could dress up and rehearse before the final act.

We came in after 2 hours and were seated somewhere in the back. All the front rows were already taken by the super excited parents. All the parents were eager to see their little butterflies perform today.

The annual day was dedicated to all mothers and their ultimate sacrifices for their children. The performances continued one after the other, and was fun to watch the toddlers perform with full enthusiasm and energy. While a performance was underway, the next performing batch would stand next to the open stage, to occupy it after the ongoing performance. After a couple of performances, we saw a batch of kids standing next to the open stage and among them was an overzealous kid, waving at the audience.  I was amazed, at this overzealous kid, waving at the swarm of people in front of him. Suddenly my wife burst out laughing and said “See Bushy’s waving at us”. I was like “Ohh Boy, this kid has got a lot of nerve”. He not only spotted us amongst hundreds of people but was also continually waving at us. We were happy to see him finally, and were eagerly waiting for his performance. He had no stage fear, and nothing could make him conscious.  If I would be in his place, I would have fainted, seeing so many people in the front; leave alone waving at them and then dancing in front of them. 

I remember, when I was in 9th standard, everyone in the class had to read out the morning news, during the morning assembly. When it was my turn, I locked myself in the bathroom, and stayed there, till the morning assembly was over. Such was my fear of stage.
Another surprise awaited us; Bushy was playing the lead role in the act; that of the mighty King Shivaji. We never knew that he was playing the lead role. The opening scene was that of ‘Shivaji’s’ mother ‘Jijabhai’ doing his ‘Aarti’ and praying for his longevity, before his departure for a battle. The song that played in the background was “Ram Krishna Ka Avtaara”. After this act, Shivaji (Bhargav) is shown going into a battle with his enemy, and returns after defeating the enemy.  To celebrate his victory, Shivaji (Bhargav) and his army, dance to the tunes of the ‘Malhari’ song “Bajne de Dadak Dadak Dhol taashe Dadak Dadak” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3b8Vy4vkxI).

The toddlers danced so well that it was hard to believe that they were all 4 years old. During the whole dance act, I was hooting at the top of my voice.  In my excitement, I even forgot to hit the record button on my camera, even though I had held the camera up, during the whole act.
That moment I realized that our kids are capable of achieving much more, than we think they can.  Sometimes, we should just let them span their wings and let them fly. Let them try and discover their true potential. They may fall and fail multiple times, but, let them get up on their own.

Let them go through the metamorphosis of becoming a butterfly from the infancy of the chrysalis.
Later I met the class teachers ‘Bhagyashree’ and ‘Rose’ and congratulated them for a splendid performance by their kids. It was a day full of joy and a good parenting lesson.