Thenmala Tales – Part 6

The Brook Inside the Forest

The only thing we would be leaving behind would be our footprints, and the only thing we would be taking with us from there would be beautiful memories…

A few meters away from Rockwood, our cottage in the forest, flowed a little stream. It originated from somewhere up above the hill, slowly gurgling its way through the thick vegetation, to form a pretty rivulet in this area. Surrounded by tall trees, thick shrubs, and dense bushes, this gurgling brook lent a special charm and beauty to the whole area, and was a perfect retreat to soothe our minds. There were boulders on which one could sit and watch the cool, flowing water.

Getting a Fish Pedicure

As usual, Manish accompanied us to this delightful rivulet and we sat on the rocks, with our feet in the flowing water. Within seconds, tiny fishes started nibbling away at our feet, unmindful of our subdued shrieks of delight. What an awesome sensation! The feel of the icy cold water caressing our feet and the tickle caused by the fishes nibbling away, was sheer bliss and slowly, our excited chatter gave way to a subdued silence with a beautiful sense of calm engulfing us. We sat there with our feet in the water, for a very long time. Nature sure does have magical properties to heal souls which have been subject to constant battering in their struggle for survival!

The pretty brook

It was overwhelming to think that we were the only humans in that vicinity. But surprisingly, none of us experienced any sort of fear or worry. Somehow, it felt like being in the security of our own home. It didn’t matter that we were cut off from the outside world without any avenue for communication. All that counted was that we felt more alive and energetic than ever, with a peaceful and joyous mind that was totally at rest.

A view of our cottage from among the trees

Amidst the acres of land which abounded in rich flora and fauna, we humans, were the trespassers… a fact which made us actually feel guilty. The only thing we would be leaving behind would be our footprints, and the only thing we would be taking with us from there would be beautiful memories…

The stream running through the woods

The tall Chenkurinji trees that tower over the stream