Malign Greed On Nature - A Short Story

 Malign Greed On Nature

             "Nature is taking its retribution", said Mani. Mani was a man of 36 years. He lived in Manipur, a little village. The village was known for its fruit gardens and playgrounds. There were fruit gardens in the north, to the east and the north-west. The fruit garden on the south covered the whole south border. The summer season was then a very pleasing time. There were abundance of fruits to eat. Besides, some fruits were found throughout the year. There were four playgrounds to the south-east and south-west, in the north and the centre of the village. 

             The village was a pleasing place for the people, especially the children. Then people used to be very simple and selfless. Mani lived in the village from birth. He loved the gardens, the playgrounds, the calmness and the pleasing atmosphere of his village. The Shiva Temple of the village was another attraction to all. Shivratri was the main puja of the village. The villagers participated with great enthusiasm in the puja arrangements.

             Days passed. Mani got a service. He lived in the village as his workplace was near. From his childhood to his professional life, the village witnessed various changes, like the gardens vanished, the playgrounds disappeared, the people becam crook, the temple lost its grandeur and the puja its pomp and glitter. Mani did not like the village anymore. The villagers attitude pained him a lot. He decided not to live in the village and was waiting for the proper time.

                 Then summer came. From the beginning of the season, the sun appeared too hot. The daytime temperature reached unbearable level. The nights were cool at first, but from June it became unbearable. Every person, weather a child, adult or aged could not bear the heat of the weather. There was a feeling of suffering everywhere. Neither any shade nor the science could provide any relief. Then Mani longed for the old times when they had gardens and playgrounds. People destroyed them to satisfy their material greed. While talking to Nepal, his friend, about this excessive hot weather, Mani remarked, "We exploited nature too much. Now nature is exploiting us. It is taking its retribution."

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