Sunday, October 7, 2012

The Swan and the Blue Lotus

This post has been published by me as a part of the Blog-a-Ton 32; the thirty-second edition of the online marathon of Bloggers; where we decide and we write. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following Blog-a-Ton. The theme for the month is 'An Untold Story'



It was a  bright and sunny day, as bright as it could be, with the puffy white clouds floating merrily in the cobalt-blue sky. The snake-like brook gurgled and jumped over rocks and stones, sticks and bricks. Its dark green water sparkled in the sunlight, like thousand diamonds afloat. The trees around had planned and adorned themselves with bright coloured, fragrant flowers. The birds chirped incessantly, sharing their stories of faraway lands. The shiny green grass danced to the mild tunes of the soft breeze. All in all, it was a scene out of a picture post card.

From the bend of the brook, out came gliding a beautiful white swan. His white feathers shimmered like silver in the golden glow of the sun. With his noiseless and dainty moves, he seemed to be oblivious to the beauty around him.

"Why are you alone today?"

"We have heard that swans always swim in pairs, where is your partner?"

A bunch of inquisitive daffodils inquired  They were a vain bunch of flowers. Each morning they would admire their beauty in the reflections in the brook.

"I have left my wife with the kids today, I needed some time off for myself", the swan replied in a morose tone, as he glided away.

There were fine lines of thought on the swans forehead. Usually he was the playful kind. The enthusiast among all his friends, the merry-maker. But today he was not himself.

His best friend, the Blue Lotus, summoned him, slightly worried.

"What's the matter, my friend? Why do I see a curtain of gloom drawn across your countenance?"

"I have been thinking all night, my dear Blue Lotus, thinking about the meaning of my existence".

"Why am I not like the swallow, who can fly to distant lands, discover the unknown, have a life of adventure. Or why am I not like the silver fishes, who can dive deep down and explore the kingdom under water?"

"I have been a swan for too long now. An epitome of grace and beauty, my life is confined within the boundaries of this small forest. I don't see any reason why swans should even exist".

The Blue Lotus let out a deep sigh.

"That's how Mother Nature wants us to be", the Blue Lotus spoke. "She has an untold story for each of us. An untold story that each of us unfurl as each new day dawns".

"Look at me, I am static in the middle of the water, yet I never complain. Each of us are important in our own small way. The way I signify purity and the swallow signifies speed, you my dear, signify grace. Self-contentment makes your journey on earth worthwhile."

"Food for thought indeed", the swan bid a good bye to the blue lotus as he swam on.

His life suddenly seemed to play as a feature film in front of his eyes. The days in the farm where he was born, grey and ugly. He had five brothers and sisters, all beautiful golden yellow. Among taunts and scorns, he grew up, till he decided to run away from the farm. That's when he came to this forest. He was no more an ugly duckling, but grew up to be a handsome white swan. Other male swans were envious of his looks, while the females swarmed around him, eager to get into a courtship with him! And then one day he met his Lady, fell in love, got married and now has six little kids! This was the story of his life, the story that had been painted and told aloud. What lies ahead is what we all live for. An unknown story, an unknown future.

The swan smiled. He was contented with what he heard from Blue Lotus. He did learn a very important lesson in life today. Each one of us also have an untold story - its called the story of LIFE.

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Reference to the swan's past can be read here

The fellow Blog-a-Tonics who took part in this Blog-a-Ton and links to their respective posts can be checked here. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following Blog-a-Ton.
This post has also been published in www.yourstoryclub.com.

46 comments:

  1. Lovely Apala! A sequel to the Ugly Duckling :)

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    1. Thank you CS! Grown up story of Ugly Duckling :D

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  2. Well aint that the truth.. nature has a role for each of the species , and the post is indeed food for thought.. each of us has a reason on this planet.. if we find it we will be the happiest always ..

    Bikram's

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    1. So true, Bikram! But we at times fail to understand that and thus be sad :(

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  3. What a beautiful thought..a strong often ignored truth in it..loved this untold story!
    ATB for BAT :)

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    1. Thank you Rinaya! Am so glad you liked it. keep visiting :)

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  4. This is like a fairytale and I Love it a lot. The message is beautiful and I would love to read such inspirational posts all the time :)

    ❤Not Just My Allegories❤

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    1. Thanks so much Anisha! This is a first time I have written a post with some kind of moral! I shall definitewly try to dish out some more.. keep visiting :)

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  5. You took me to a different world out of which I returned a little enlightened. Splendid.

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    1. Thanks Jaish! It was purely an experimental post, as i have never touched upon inspirational genre!

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  6. You floored me with that one Apala! Who would have thought that Ugly Duckling would extend to more such philosophy and life's learnings! You got to write a book for childrens' stories all complete with morals and stuff, I'll surely buy one for my little one then!

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    1. Wow Deepa! thats too much of a compliment for me! :D Like most bloggers, i too would like to get published someday! and i hope thats before your kid grows up!! :)
      am so glad you liked it!

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  7. Ah. Gotta thank blogaton to have discovered this piece of writing. Absolutely love fables (& our own jataka tales), that pack great lessons of life.

    On this piece, you start with a rhyming scheme, then do away with it abruptly and pick it up here and there - that spoils the whole sing-a-song mood the writing. I know its tough. Hope to read revisions of this write-up, if you plan to do them.

    I'm not sure if you've read my entry for this edition. However, let me request you to check and read this one - Fables For The Adults-1. Would LOVE to hear your thoughts.

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    1. Thanks for visiting and spending some time to read and provide feedback! i appreciate it. My whole intention was not to have any kind of rhyming scheme, but a pure fiction piece. Re-reading my post, I realize why you must have felt the rhyme in the beginning, but the lack of it later.
      I am not sure if i would have a revised version of this, since I feel revised work isn't as much fun as the original.

      keep visiting :)

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    2. I guessed your intention even while reading the post. I guess you've visited that link I shared. The feedback I provided was something given to me for my post, not by one person but several. I guess, when one writes a fable (or a tale in the guise of a fable), that whole sing-a-song routine is expected.

      You are bookmarked, I'll keep visiting :)

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  8. This is brilliant. A sequel to the ugly duckling story.

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    1. Thanks TF! When I started, the idea was never to make it a sequel to Ugly Duckling, but somehow it ended up being something or that sort! :)

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  9. Wow! Very very well written . Its such a simple story to convey such an important message ! And nice interpretation to the topic !

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  10. The message is very well conveyed through the story, had a beauty in it right from teh start.

    Do visit mine http://www.stylisharjun.blogspot.in/2012/10/an-untold-story.html

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    1. Thanks Arjun! I'll surely catch up with your post!

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  11. wow beautifully written
    ATB for BAT :)

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  12. Lovely imagery. This reminds me of the story of rabbit and toads. Beautifully narrated. :-)

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  13. Life teaches us so many things ...its how one observes and absorbs into it...Me as a reader was absorbed in your story ...gripping narration.. :) all the best for BAT



    I am here
    http://odizzey.wordpress.com/2012/10/07/an-untold-story/

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    1. Indeed, there is so much to learn from the small, insignificant nothings of life. Glad you liked it, and welcome to my page. keep visiting :)

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  14. Beautiful.At times life even makes us think but the meaning of our existence and the day one realizes its worth, I guess life is lived full by then

    all the best Apala :)

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    1. Yes TM... i couldn't agree more to this! :)
      Thanks for the wishes and wish you the same! :)

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  15. What a post, Apala...very very enjoyable piece. ATBfor BAT!

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    1. thank you, PanchaliDi...!! your words are always encouraging!

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  16. I Enjoyed reading this story..and I am impressed with your writing style.. you ar eone of the few bloggers who have inspired me to work on my writing skills. I haven't written much. Also, I found this piece very creative and soothing.. :)

    all the best for BAT 32 :)

    P.S. I am following your future works.

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    1. Welcome dear Megha! and thank you for the generous and kind shower of words! Hope to see more of you here! :)

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  17. Such a refreshing post and a message to take! Would love to read your future works :) Now following you!

    Please do read my entry: http://ponderingtwo.blogspot.in/2012/10/love-torn.html

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  18. Such a refreshing post with a message in it! Loved it! You have earned a new follower! :)

    ATB for BAT!

    Please do visit my entry: http://ponderingtwo.blogspot.in/2012/10/love-torn.html

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    1. thanks Rohan, for liking this post, as well as adding this blog to your blogroll :)

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  19. Wonderful Apala.stumbled upon your entry from quill and quiver and absolutely loved it.

    Using Swan and blue lotus and writing a post so beautiful, apt and meaningful is a feat indeed...Loved it.

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  20. Brilliant write-up Apala. This was different from other entries. The story of everyone's life is indeed an untold story.

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  21. Great sequel! And you have said a great story to humans using Blue Lotus, and Swan.. Hats off to you.. Good luck..

    Someone is Special

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    1. SiS... this is really encouraging! Thanks much :)

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  22. A sequel to ugly duckling with a philosophical tone... great work.. and congrats for the baton :)

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