The   Play   Children   Play

O

n a fine Spring day, sitting in my outhouse was watching my neighboring house children Tom, Dick, Harry, Aslam, Saleem, Pinky and Rinky, all below ten years of age, playing in the playground besides the lake. As I was watching them, Harry may be out of some misunderstanding kicked little Pinky, the youngest of all, on her back. Wreathing in pain, Pinky started weeping. I was curious to know not the reason of Harry’s misbehavior but the reaction of the other children. Something beautiful happened then. Forgetting their play, the roles they were performing, all rushed towards Pinky to console her. Then a miracle happened. Within a few minutes, the yelling, weeping, sobbing, gloomy faces vanished. All started smiling and laughing. Pinky forgot her pain. All began to play another game.

As I was watching this, I was reminded of the Commonwealth games which Delhi hosted sometimes back. Almost all the commonwealth countries partook in it. All these countries who took part were once ruled by the British. Now, therefore, is it to ‘Unite’ all the subjugated countries together or to wipe away the scars which produced the subjugation and hence to give a touch of ‘Freedom?’  One may say, “The main purpose of Commonwealth Games is to increase economic cooperation, sporting spirit and peaceful coexistence among the participating nations” (see, Anushka Roy, “Commonwealth Games 2010: A Panoramic Overview,” http://www.articlecity.com/articles/travel_and_leisure/article_4499.shtml). It is true, that Commonwealth has become ‘Common-wealth’ or ‘profit making’ endeavor for some. The Hospitality industry, the ‘Techno-industry’ gains a lot in today’s National and International games. My concern is not this. Does the ‘Game’ really brings the ‘game-spirit’ or does it bring ‘co-existence’ in the real sense in the game the elders play?

The purpose of the games is to ‘unite’ all the commonwealth countries, to forget all the untoward feeling they have each other, to bring all together, a peaceful co-existence…. A noble cause indeed!

Spectacular inauguration programme made me spell-bound. The cultural programme depicted the unique art-craft, technology and culture of people. This was followed by the welcoming of the players. Players along with the team managers and representatives represented their respective countries with the Flags marched into the ground to a common rhythm and tune. Most of them were busy with their cameras to shoot the finest memories, some were busy in shaking hands with players of other countries, making friendship. Yes, they have forgotten the difference now! All have become ‘One!’  Like Pinky, they have forgotten their past…  But, for how long?

A question popped in my mind. Is this real game? Is this the purpose of the play? Children at the bank of the lake played spontaneously without any prejudices. No one won, no one lost. All were winners. Their play, simply came from their within. Though Pinky was hurt, she was not hurt at the end. She neither forgave Harry, nor Harry said sorry. What a contrast the play children play and the play, the elders play?

My thoughts went further as the days went on at the commonwealth games. Inauguration is now over, the game has already started. The players who shook hands for friendship are playing against each other as if they are the arch rivals. The ‘other player’ is seen as a rival, an enemy to be conquered. Not to forget, the managers are stimulating their players to retaliate and to be aggressive. More so, they are planning to defeat the other. Was that shake-hand which the players shook before the game, a shake of friendship or a shake of rivalry?

Yes, the whole world is God’s play-ground. We are here to play. But not like the play elders play at any arena. We need to play as the innocent children Tom, Dick, Harry, Aslam, Saleem, Pinky and Rinky play, without any guile. Even though they hurt, they don’t hurt, but love unconditionally. They don’t rejoice over the defeat of the other. They rejoice as a loving mother who rejoices when her son or daughter wins a race as if it is the mother who ran that race.

There is no distinction among the children whether they belong to higher caste or lower, black or white, rich or poor. All are one, all play as one family, as children of one family. Tom, Dick, Harry, Aslam, Saleem, Pinky and Rinky are all from different families, from different religions, from different cultures. Yet all are one.

Family is a play-ground where the members play. Each one has one’s own role in the game. One is a judge, the other player, third his opponent, fourth fielder, fifth supporter or usher… the list follows. Sometimes same person plays a double role or triple roles according to the demand of the game. Here too, no winner, no loser, but all win together. Thus all together build a home, a home of love.