Usually energizing, the clear Uttarakhand mountain air seemed heavy on my chest. The Himalayas, the gorgeous mountains that had promised me a week filled with mind-blowing views and heart-stopping treks, suddenly towered over me like uncaring giants. The offender? My ideal trip became a test of fortitude due to a misplaced foot on the perilous mountain trail, a sudden turn, and excruciating pain.
Everything took place on the second day of our walk. As we got closer to our first campground, the gang was excited. Ever the eager traveler, I was a little ahead, taking pictures of the meadows covered in wildflowers. My world tipped with one false step onto a hidden rock covered in vivid blossoms. My ankle began to burn so badly that I lost breath. With worried expressions on their faces, my companions hurried to my side.
After the initial shock, I was left with a dull, throbbing pain that hurt every time my heart beat. The sharp reality of an ankle swelling and the unnerving sense of reliance replaced the dream of accomplishing difficult hikes. We hobbled back to the base camp, the group's happy banter giving way to a worrisome quiet. The camp doctor looked at my ankle, a wiry man with gentle eyes. He concluded that the patient had a sprain that required little movement for the following few days. A wave of despair overcame me. The well-thought-out schedule, and the assurance that I would be pushed to my limits, all appeared to fall apart around me.
Every day, the rest of the gang left for their adventures, leaving me confined to the camp. The inaccessibility of the once-inviting mountains appeared to mock me. I had an odd combination of jealousy and frustration. Envy at the easy laughter resounding from a distance, and frustration at my own awkwardness. But the camp had its own set of struggles and victories, like any microcosm of life. Unexpected places provided me comfort. There was a sense of a shared experience among the other campers, some of whom had minor injuries of their own. The resident naturalist told us about the flora and fauna in the area while we played board games and traded stories beneath the stars.
Gradually, my viewpoint started to change. Even if they were temporarily unreachable, the mountains started to appear constant and provided a quiet source of power. I began to notice the beauty all around me, such as the way the sun played with the foliage at dawn, the beautiful starry sky at dusk, and the symphony of songbirds. I was able to re-connect with myself and appreciate the small things that I frequently took for granted because of the imposed stillness.
My inadequacies were also brought to light by the experience. My physical strength and capacity to push myself had always been my pride. I felt humbled to be brought low and to have to depend on others. However, it also demonstrated to me the resilience of the human spirit and its capacity to find happiness and meaning in the midst of difficulty. I developed a fresh respect for the mountains by the time it was safe for me to walk once more, if with a little limp. Despite being shorter than anticipated, the last hike felt like a victory lap. I reveled in each step, feeling the cool mountain breeze caress my skin and inhaling the aroma of pine.
More than a few trinkets accompanied me as we descended from the highlands. Resilience, the value of finding delight in the unexpected, and the understanding that real strength comes from overcoming obstacles as much as adjusting to them were all lessons I took with me. Initially a representation of a disability, the twisted ankle has evolved to symbolize the resilience of the human spirit.
About the Author:
Dr. Andleeb Zahra, an Assistant Professor of English at Barabanki, brings fifteen years of teaching experience to her role. She has served as an Assistant Professor in the Department of English at Navyug Degree College, Rajendra Nagar. Passionate about art and literature, a lover of beauty and an empath, she finds solace and expression in writing poems in Hindi. With a commitment to making a positive impact on her students' lives, Dr. Zahra aims to instill in them the values of compassion and good citizenship.
Wonderfully explained!
How beautifully you expressed your 'suffer'.
Beautifully written ma'am. Hats off.
A creative mind always try to connect with postive facts even in negative situation..
Highly appreciated
A work of imaginative creativity with positive sided kind heart