Reading Time: 3 min
“I love the sea”, said the seven-year-old Theo to his grandfather. “I want to be with her.”
The grandfather smiled affectionately, “Is that so, huh? Why do you want to be with her?”
“I think the only thing that will make me happy is the sea.” He was drawing figures on the sand. “I want the sea.’
“But the sea is not one person to have, Theo. She belongs to everyone.”, the grandfather said nonchalantly. “The sea is too expansive to be with just one person.”
“How do you know that grandpa?” Theo looked up at him, “Did the sea tell you that?”
“She doesn’t need to say anything, you just have to listen.” the grandfather responded calmly. “You can listen to the sound of waves crashing on to those rocks, you can listen to the colours that the sun shines as it lights it up through the day or the moon shimmers through the clouds at night, you can listen to the moss growing at the coast. You just listen and she speaks volumes.”
Theo stood up. He looked over at the horizon, squinting his eyes with as much force he could muster. “Grandpa, will she hear me?”
“Yes”
‘Will she listen if I tell her I love her?” asked the Theo incredulously.
“Yes. Be loud”
“I LOVE YOU SEA”, Theo shouted at the top of his voice.
“Felt good?” the grandfather asked. Theo grinned, vigorously nodding.
“Good then, sit down now. I am old and I can’t go running after you all the time.”
The happy boy and the grandfather silently watched the sun go down. They sat at the edge of the world, waiting patiently for the night to fall.
A thought of appreciation for my grandfather who indulged in my childish whims and never let my curious spirit be extinguished. A thought of appreciation to every grandparent out there.
This image was clicked on a dark morning in Bali. Check out more pictures in my Portfolio or follow me on Instagram for more travel photographs.
Sweet 💓🥰
Thank you Shivani 🙂