
A Divine Talk
Ruju Apurva Shah
Prose
After the tiring process of growth within such a confined space, God had the last of his conversations with the baby girl before she would leave her mother's safe haven to depart for the outer world. He said, "I have never asked this question to any baby before, except the very one in whose womb you lie currently. I would not tell you what she replied. I want you to answer free of any pressure or fear. I promise to do only what you desire."
The baby replied, "God, you have sustained me throughout this tiring journey. Please ask me the question. I will ask for exactly what I want."
God continued, "Dear little girl, be honest as you promised. The outer world is filled with materialism, hatred and pessimism. The world is not as I have made it to be. People are selfish. They are destroying Mother Nature. Humankind has forgotten humanity. Everyone wants to look after themselves. Lives are becoming shorter and shorter for the world is diseased. Ailments shall prevail from the very moment you leave this heaven, which people consider to be hell. You are safe only here, only in these nine months. It may be tiring but the safest. Outside, it is all tiring and difficult to survive. So, my question is, were these nine months and seven days sufficient? Would you like to live more, or shall I cease your existence right now, for it is better to come upstairs with me than to live in a world filled with evil?"
The girl took a few minutes. She pondered upon what her loving father was reading to her mother some days ago. Her father was saying, "The world is what we perceive it to be. You say it to be bad, you see it to be bad. You say it to be amazing, it turns out to be amazing."
She repeated these lines to God and asked him if these were true. God serenely nodded. She then continued, "God, in that case, why don't you tell me that the world is beautiful, that it is worth existing?"
God said, "For it is not, innocent child. They have spoiled and ruined my creations ruthlessly."
The baby calmly said, "Then I would like to see what they have done. In no way would I want to die before being born. I want to see, touch and love my parents. I want to embrace my health, in whatever way you would shower it upon me. I want to embrace Mother Nature and give her the assurance that I am there for her."
God questioned, "But child, why? Why not spend good time with me? I'll give you the highest place in Heaven."
The baby simply said, "God, I was in heaven for the last nine months and seven days! Look at my mother, God. In the world you described, she chose to tolerate the pain of bearing me. Would I not want to be as brave and strong as her, would I not want to be the source for creating another beautiful creation of yours?"
God simply smiled and said, "So, this is how mothers are born in your clan, selfless and grateful. Live child, live on. May your tribe increase!”