The Seasons

In a land far away in time and space
There was an old woman full of charm and grace,
Which came from living a charitable life
Contented and removed from any strife
She was free of selfishness, jealousy and conceit
Forgiving, respectful, kind-hearted and sweet

One day, coming back with a load on her head
Of a bundle of firewood to bake her bread,
She felt very tired from walking a mile
And decided to sit down and rest for a while

As she took off her head the wood and splinter
She saw Rainy Season, Summer and Winter
Engaged in an argument under a peepul tree
Speaking one by one, or sometimes all three
Apparently, they failed to resolve their dispute
And finally decided to go take their route
But just before leaving, while looking around,
They found the old woman sitting on a mound

They talked once again, and for whatever reason
Walking hesitantly, approached Rainy Season
With a moist, fresh face and long black hair
That shimmered like silk floating in the air
Dark, thick clouds, converging from around
Covered the hot sun and, with a rumbling sound,
It started to rain with large raindrops
Said the old woman: “It’s good for the crops!”

“Thanks!” said Rainy Season with obvious pride:
“I’ll open my umbrella. Come closer, inside
In case you’re wondering why I’m here
A quarrelsome bunch we the seasons are, dear
We can’t seem to agree who is the best of all
So we all have decided it’ll be your call
But you must be unbiased; the rules are strict
We are in the middle of a serious conflict
Though I know, out of all of us, I’m the best
I’ll accept your judgment. I know you’re honest!”

“O’ dear Rainy Season! The poor farmer’s life
You’re the salvation for his children and wife
In fact the whole world is indebted to you
Since water is the essence of life, how true!
Sustaining our hopes to give dream a shape
You’re the reason we’ve a green landscape
Coming after months of scorching summer sun
I swear a more welcome relief there is none
Tip-toeing on my roof the raindrops play
A tune so relaxing I could sleep all day
The smell of the dry earth when it first rains
Dissolves all weariness, relieves all my pains
The beasts of the jungle wake up from a trance
The birds chirp and sing, the peacocks dance
Young girls take the ride high up in the swing
Boys litter the sky with kites and string
Just ask any body from the East to the West
You’ll get the same answer: you’re the best!”

The young Rainy Season smiled with delight
“With your kind words I’ll sure win the fight
Thanks for your help. This is for you to keep.”
She dropped in her hands a silver coin heap.

The old man Winter came next in his coat
Buttoned up to the chin and, clearing his throat,
Said: “You know I’m Winter and I’m here, well,
I guess, to find out how I am. Please tell.
In case you don’t know me, I’m not an optimist
Sometimes I even wonder why I exist.
I doubt there is anything to like about me!
But I was persuaded to come here, you see”

The sweet old woman said: “I know who you’re
You’re most welcome! Don’t stand there so far
Surrounded by the young ones, don’t be shy
I see that you’re an old man, but so am I!
No reason for us to be depressed with our lives
Variety is something on which the world thrives
But first let me cover myself head to toe
I feel a little chill in the air, you know
O’ old man Winter, O’ honorable sage
We’ve things in common. We’re the same age
Winter brings happiness in the children’s eyes
With holidays and gifts to fit every size
It’s also the time when the Nature takes a break
So I make myself comfortable in my turtleneck
With nuts and hot chocolate to my heart’s desire
Snuggled up in a blanket in front of the fire
I hear the logs crackle and watch the flames dance
What a glorious time for friendship or romance!
Or reading some stories of this world and beyond
The only thing I miss is my own magic wand!
The smell of the corn bread, fresh-baked and hot
Tea brewing in a cup, stew cooking in a pot
I don’t even worry about the food going bad
When you are chased away I feel very sad.
You’ve worked very hard. Now go home and rest
And be assured, undoubtedly, you’re the best!”

The old man Winter had a feeble smile
Which gave a little warmth to his frigid profile
He spoke gratefully in a trembling voice:
“I’m so impressed with your sensible choice
I thought I was useless since I’m so old
But thanks! And accept this small sack of gold!”

Then Summer came in with a bright sun behind:
“I’m sorry to disturb you! I hope you won’t mind
If I humbly request you to say how I’m
I’ll try not to take your valuable time.”

The sweet old woman gave a welcome smile
And said: “I’ll be with you in a little while
Let me first get out of my sweater and cloak
And move in the shadow of this nearby oak
Your dress is so lovely, light colored and smart
Just right for the season; I speak from my heart
The summer is the season to forget all worries,
All pressure from work, all haste and hurries
And to lounge on the beach in the sun and sand
And go to the town for a late night band
Those, uncomfortable with the afternoon heat,
Can come out at night for a family treat
Cold drinks, ice cream, a dip in the pool
It looks that’s why they close the school
You must be proud of the hearts you have won
Long days, enough time for business or fun
Just lie on a bed, watch the bright starry night
Count the falling stars to your left, to your right
You’re the sweetheart of the girls or boys
What else can I say about the summer’s joys
I say quite candidly you’ve passed the test
You don’t have to worry; you’re surely the best!”

“I listened to your words and realized soon
How ignorant I was of my good fortune
To express my gratitude,” Said the Summer girl:
“I present you a small gift of ruby and pearl!”

Pleased with the fine outcome of this event
All three went away satisfied and content
The old woman, gathering her treasures, went back
To her home in the village with riches in her sack
And on her sweet tongue a fanciful tale
Of her lucky encounter with strangers on a trail,
Who gave her the valuables just for being there
And others could certainly claim their share.

It was noticed by her neighbor, a poor man’s wife
Who said to her husband: “I want a better life
What you have provided has broken my heart!
Take your mother out to the jungle, to the part
Where kind-hearted folks, with money to spare,
Are looking for people in poverty and despair

And who else do you think is more qualified
Than us to receive the charity!” She sighed

Her husband replied: “You’re out of your mind
Your idea is surely the most pitiable kind
The jungle is teeming with all kinds of guys
Dangerous robbers and treacherous spies
Stop building castles in your greedy dream
Mother could get hurt if I follow your scheme
For me to believe this in earnest is hard
You think of using my mother for reward?”

“Just a suggestion. I’m sure you understand
Foolery and misery often go hand in hand
Now you can’t complain your chance never came
You may never be closer to fortune and fame!”

So he took her mother out in the jungle next day
To try out his luck, and begged her to stay
On a trail in the middle if the jungle, for a while
To wait for some riches so they live in style

Now, this old woman was of a different breed
Pretty mean in her heart and cruel in her deed
Never tired of displaying, on her face, a frown
Looking for a chance to put everyone down
Grieving about her miserable time and fortune
Moaning about good times that left her too soon
So she sat there sulking and definitely saw,
In her misery, a hand of her daughter-in-law


And just at that moment appeared from nowhere
Young Rainy Season, old Winter and Summer
They looked embarrassed, talking in a group
Unhappy that the clever old woman could dupe
Them all with sweet talks, they readily confessed,
Which left them confused as to who was the best
With the game undecided, they were happy to see
Another old woman sitting near a neem tree
After heated debate to whether try it or not
They finally decided to give it another shot
With a warning this time what needed to be done
Was serious indeed, not an exercise in fun
She had to select only one that she thought,
Without any doubt, was the best of the lot!

Once again, carefully, approached Rainy Season
The bitter old woman asked: “What’s the reason
That a young girl like you would wander alone
In a jungle with hazards, known and unknown?
This isn’t the right place for children or teens
Have you been dumped by parents of no means?
What do you want? You don’t feel ashamed?
Where is your modesty? You’re totally untamed!”

Young Rainy Season buttoned up her shirt
And pulling down the hem of her mini-skirt
Said: “I didn’t mean to cause you any heart-burn.
How is Rainy Season? I just want to learn.”

The old woman said: “You’re out of your mind
You set off a mood of the gloomiest kind

What good is about you? Just look at the gray
That you spread on the sky, which stays all day,
All night for weeks and months, sometimes;
‘Monsoon’ is the name they’ve given to your crimes
And I’ll be honest since you asked me to speak
You turn life miserable, you make roofs leak
With oppressive humidity, you make it a point
That the pain comes back in my right knee-joint
Thunderbolts, lightning, sometimes even hails
Can leave destructions behind their trails
Electricity fails leaving everything in dark
The only sure way to escape is Noah’s Ark
With washed away roads, waterborne diseases,
Reptiles, flies, mosquitoes; the gloom increases
It’s impossible to cook on damp firewood
I wish to escape far away, if I could
My sense of helplessness just makes me cry
I wait days and weeks for my clothes to dry
Wooden furniture swells, doors fail to close
The stink of dampness never leaves your nose
Mildew covers the walls, metal objects corrode
The only one happy that I know is a toad!”

The face of the pretty Rainy Season turned red
Withdrawing her umbrella she just shook her head
The cloud above her burst open which, of course,
Knocked the poor old woman down on her fours
Diving from the sky a few lightning bolts
Delivered to her body a couple of million volts
“I wish the old woman gets fried and dies!”
She left the scene quickly with tears in her eyes.

Shaken and soaked, the old woman screamed:
“Look at my bad luck; this isn’t what I dreamed!
She asked me in earnest to tell her the truth
With designs to capture my heart with her youth
But I’m not so dumb, go find out from any one
I haven’t quite grayed all my hair in the sun!
And who is this bearded old man trudging along
In the company of frigid air blowing strong
He doesn’t realize I’m shivering and wet
He is coming towards me! He makes me upset.
With a face full of wrinkles and eyes set so deep
It looks like someone is walking in his sleep!”

She looked with contempt at the old man Winter
And said: “First of all, I don’t like a squinter!
Stay away from me! And move aside please
Don’t block the sun’s rays, otherwise I’d freeze
You’ve managed to send a shiver down my spine
Tell me what you want; you’re a bad sign!”

The old man Winter, wrapped up in a cloak,
Said: “I’m a serious man. I don’t like any joke
We are having a quarrel as to who is the best
We need your opinion, unbiased and honest.
You know I’m Winter. Tell me how I’m”

The old woman said: “You’re wasting your time!
I don’t know who needs you; at least not I!
When the sun is a pale white patch in the sky
The short daylight hours make everyone berserk
There isn’t enough time to finish a day’s work

The frigid howling wind announces the doom
The barren landscape fills your heart with gloom
Pneumonia and asthma, flu and allergies
I can’t afford to pay even the village Hakim’s fees
This cold is so miserable for my old bones
My daughter-in-law can’t tolerate my moans
We don’t have any coal to keep the house warm
What do you bring except misery and harm?
Confined under the blankets, I curse my fate
I wish I was a bear, able to hibernate
You cause such a bout of depression inside
It’s hard to resist the temptation of suicide.
I fail to understand what makes you to think
That you’re the best. You had too much to drink?”

The old man Winter couldn’t take such insult
And lashed out in anger with frightful result
The bitter old woman got a blast of cold air
Which froze her speech, put icicles in her hair
He left her frost-bitten, paralyzed in one hand:
“You get this for cursing the old Winter man!”

And then it was Summer, the last one to come,
With obvious relief to the woman, who was numb
“Hello!” said Summer with a cheerful smile:
“I’m sorry that you ran into that Winter senile,
Cold inside and out, without any friend
Reminds me the way this universe will end
But I’m full of warmth, a pleasure to snuggle
Just tell me how I’m, to resolve our struggle!”


With the sun shining bright it was hot very soon
The bitter old woman said: “My rotten fortune!
I’m sure you’re here to torment me like others
All of you have been raised by vengeful mothers
But I have to be honest. I’m sure, my friend,
That whoever likes you is at his wit’s end
The relentless sun beats down on the earth
Altering the bounties into widespread dearth
The days are like oven, in which you’re fed
Far blessed is a chicken on a grill; it’s dead!
Burnt earth, dry cows; the farmers’ hearts sink
Brain melts in your heat; who is able to think?
Swirling fine dust enters the tiniest crack
Dust in my front, more dust in my back
Nothing quenches the thirst; kids dehydrate
Your gift of heat stroke is hard to appreciate
Sleeping all day indoors, coming out at night
I feel like a bat with impaired eye-sight
Inside the closed door confined all day
I drown in my sweat, what else can I say?
And still if you think that you’re the best
I suggest your brain should be sent for a test!”

Suddenly, Summer’s face turned as hot as fire
She breathed hot air to express her ire
In a cruel revenge, before her retreat.
The bitter old woman collapsed in the heat!

Expecting the riches his mother would receive
When her son came back, he couldn’t believe
Struck with pneumonia, frost-bite and stroke
His mother was unconscious. He was still broke!

He said to his wife: “Look, you didn’t believe
The jungle is dangerous. Now I’m left to grieve
Unlucky is my mother who chanced to face
The thugs and bandits who inhabit this place!”