I stare down from the window of
my classroom on the third floor. I see the wall there. Ordinary people may
think there is nothing special about an old grey wall. But to me that old grey
wall is what lies between me and my freedom. Freedom from what you may ask. I
say it is freedom from everything that restricts you from being yourself. It is
this wall that keeps me caged like a bird who might never know what it is like to
fly high in the blue ocean of sky. I’m momentarily distracted by the wind
rustling through the green leaves. It is cloudy and it looks like it might rain
any moment now. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I can hear the teacher
calling out names from the attendance register. I drone out the noise and look
back at the wall.
Sitting here, on this old broken down wooden bench, I’ve always
wondered what was on the other side of the
wall. It could be one of those beautiful meadows
filled with wildflowers that you always see on those nature shows on the telly
or maybe it could be this wonderful jungle filled with the most exotic plants
and animals there is or maybe even better it could be the paradise that I’ve
always dreamed of. I see a squirrel run down from the oak tree whose branches
reach my window. Like me, it too is curious to know what is on the other side
of the wall. It perches itself on the wall and stares into the distance. I do
not know what it is thinking but maybe it too is looking for the most precious
and most elusive commodity there is in the world. Freedom from the winged
predators that torment it or maybe freedom from the scarcity of food. My
imagination has carried me this far. I wonder how far it will take me now. I
tap my watch, to see the needle moving ever so slowly. I look back out the
window at the wall. So close yet so far away. A crow, now sits on the stone
brick wall looking, looking at something in the distance. Within seconds it
flies out of sight. The bird has it easy, I suppose. It could fly away from its
troubles anytime it wishes and never look back at the old life it leaves behind.
I wish I were that bird. Flying could maybe get me my freedom but then again
with my luck I’d probably starve to death.
I
hear the dismissal bell. I snap back to reality. Everyone has left already. I’m
the last to leave. I slowly get my bag and walk out of the classroom. The
afternoon sun feels hot on my skin but then again it looks as if it might rain.
The wall is visible now I can see it now. It stands there stationary. It has no
feelings whatsoever as it is merely made out of stone unlike me who is only
human. I slowly walk towards it. I think about climbing it. It would change everything.
I would have a new life, new home, new destination, new purpose, a completely
new beginning. It was exactly what I needed. I see the squirrel looking at me
from atop the tree as if asking me if I’m really going to do it. Climb the old
stone wall. I raise my hand and touch the wall with my hand. It feels cold against
my skin. I cannot do it, I’m not ready. It is not my time yet. My time will come,
I know it now. I turn and walk away towards home. I look back at the wall, the
old grey wall. Tomorrow would just be another new day.....another step to my
new beginning.
