Pocket-SizedDreams

Life is a bit like comparing two movies: one set in a lively city, and the other in a calm village. Picture the city – tall buildings, lots of action, and schools all over the place. Now, rewind the movie to a village 30 years ago. What do you see? Simple life, open fields, and green views everywhere. It is funny how our minds create these different scenes, like having two favorite stories to tell – one full of energy, the other full of peace.

But let us step into the time machine and go back to when life unfolded like a storybook in a small Maharashtra village called Walwad. Now, let me tell you the real tale of my village. It was not the peaceful haven we often dream about. No, it was more like a desert. Imagine this: limited power, water delivered by tankers, and small kids, like me, turning into little adventurers climbing those tankers. It sounds fun now, but back then, it was a big task.

Our village life was far from the idyllic images we see in movies. No good schools, limited resources – it felt like a puzzle with missing pieces. Yet, amidst these challenges, there was an incredible source of strength.

This beutiful grandma. Despite being completely blind, she faced every obstacle with a bright smile on her face. Perhaps that’s why climbing the water tanker wasn’t just a chore for us kids, it became a game, a way to find joy in a difficult situation.

Imagine those hose pipes dangling from the water tanker. Unlike the idyllic images you might imagine, reality had us scrambling like monkeys, each trying to collect a few precious litters of water for our families.

That water was like gold, sustaining us for the next 10 days until the tanker came again. Life may not have been a dream, but it was an adventure we turned into our own special story

Growing up in Walwad, my small village, unfolded as a story quite different from the tranquil paradise we often dream about. Far from the idyllic images of peaceful villages, our reality was painted with challenges – from limited access to vegetable markets, available only once a week, to enduring 8-9 hours of power outages, and the stark absence of a hospital. Even with these challenges, we found happiness, learned valuable lessons from real-life, and understood the importance of appreciating what we have.

Lesson was clear – life may not be what we dream, but every challenge holds a chance for excitement. With the laughter of kids climbing water tankers lingering, the story of my small village concludes, making way for the beginning of my Pocket-sized Dreams. It is a tale that promises adventures and dreams, like treasures waiting to be discovered in every little pockets around.

Just like the eyes full of wonder and hopes that we all possessed as children.

Let’s break the mold! Share your story of a childhood adventure that wasn’t straight out of a a movie. We bet it’s full of hidden treasures (lessons)! Sharing your story will surely bring a smile to your face (and ours!).

Photos By Sanket Walwadkar