We lived in a remote rural area long time ago, when we were small. When I recall those times a greenish area with some houses scattered here and there comes into my mind. Unlike these days our lives were simple and calm with fewer expectations.

With my brothers and friends I roamed freely across the abandoned gardens and fields. There was a round pretty looking rock in a corner of a field which was the centre of our programs. Long grass and few shrubs covered the lower half of the rock. A stream floated silently close to the rock. Although it is about 2m in height as we were small we had to climb it with difficulty and we helped each other to climb. We felt really adventurous after climbing it and we waited hours and hours watching the farmers working in the fields and chatting with each other. And threw stones into the stream to frighten the small fish. Some times we saw a water snake which moved rapidly across the water.

With time our gang dissolved and went out of the village in pursuing our own paths.

Recently I went to the village back and walked along the same paths which we used to wonder. I was surprised by seeing the rock again.

? Is this the same rock that stood silently bearing our mischievous activities. Now I saw it as a small rock covered with grass and dried leaves. It has not become small. I have grown up. Smile came into my face by thinking how huge it was for us at that time.The stream was dried and there were no fish. However  it reminded me the past – the time which we saw it as the highest mountain of the area.

But still I could feel the warmth of true friendship and the happiness of small hearts we had at that time.