The Shepherd Poem by Parameswaran Nair Damodaran Nair

The Shepherd

The shepherd sat under the big peepul tree on the hill-top
"Too weary a climb", He said to himself slipping into a nap
Retreat-song of birds woke him up to a beautiful dusk
A thought-flash of his sheep urged him look around
They were grazing afar bleating at times
It reminded him of his lapse
He picked up his flute and held it close to his lips
To play on it a tune and summon the sheep
The flute did not yield, so he checked it thoroughly
He was amazed, it was a flute beautifully made of gold
"Hey! This is not mine, mine is the one made of reed
This may belong to a prince who might lost it here
Or might have fallen down while passing through this spot "
Soon he heard a lovely song played on a flute
He saw a prince approaching in robe and crown
With the herd behind him in perfect discipline
The prince came closer and said, "Here's your flute
I had taken it leaving mine here, without permission
Thought not to wake you up from your peaceful sleep
But wanted to save from the lion the sheep
Can I take it with me in exchange of the one in your hand?
"Sorry your majesty, my flute is so dear to me
It has become an inseparable companion
I hold it fast to my bosom while I sleep,
it gives out heavenly melodies for me
My sheep sleep and wake up hearing its music,
it carries our communications too
It's a friend, a companion, a solace, a boon and what not,
please don't ask for it so insistently, my lord
"OK, then take both, a gift for your innocence and golden songs".
The prince walked away along the stretch of brightness
That fell from the heaven and leading to the horizon
The smile on his lips brightened the whole surrounding
The melody from his flute showered eternal sweetnes