Because You Were There

Time passes, the world changes

I'm still the same old kid

And your jokes still bring me laughter

As if you still were here

And it hurts when I smile

'Cause my heart still remembers

When you were around

'Cause you were there

When no one was

Just when I thought nobody cared

You showed me love

'Cause you were my friend

You always told me

And I am still here

Because you were there

So precious, small treasures

A time when truth was innocent

True friendship was all we were after

A place where kids could still be kids

And it hurts but I'm glad

'Cause at least I was blessed

To have you as my friend

'Cause you were there

When no one was

Just when I thought nobody cared

You showed me love

'Cause you were my friend

You always told me

And I am still here

Because you were there

You're my best friend, yes, there are no accidents

God has a plan for everyone

And He brought you in my life

To show me what a good friendship was

'Cause you were there

When no one was

Just when I thought nobody cared

You showed me love

'Cause you were my friend

You always told me

And I am still here

Because you were there

You were there

You were there

You were there

Because you were there

Because you were there

Because you were there

Songwriters

EDMONDS, KENNETH

Published by

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Like Waves Against The Sand

Let me tell you

Some truths of life,

Joy is not for the few

And nor is misery rife,

Its really sad

But bliss comes and goes

Like waves against the sand

In our youth

We begin to court,

And we swear

Never to break heart,

Its really sad

But love comes and goes

Like waves against the sand

We have friends

And we have relatives,

Some help till our end

While others give us the peeve,

Its really sad

But folks come and go

Like waves against the sand

Parents aid their dear

And support their kin,

Some lend their ear 

Others throw caution to the wind,

Its really sad

But time comes and goes

Like waves against the sand

This list can go on and on

We cannot sit idle and pray,

A simple moral must follow on

So listen to what I have to say

Your brain is your weapon

Listen to me, girls and boys

Its edge you must always sharpen

Without it you have no other choice

You should be glad

Wisdom never comes and goes

Like waves against the sand

© Nitesh Kotecha

No Wonder... I Saw You Smile

A bird flew to me,

 and said to me;

“From far I flew

Just to be with you”

And I say,

“I think it is His style

I think I see Him smile”

“I need some shade

am afraid I will fade;

I need something sweet

Do you have anything to eat?”

And I say,

“I think it is His style

I think I see Him smile”

“I need to be on my way,

my land is far away;

Shelters today are only a few,

Staying here was never the point of view”

And I say,

“I think it is His style

I think I see Him smile”

What can one say of such beguile?

Or lapse of reason for a while?

And then I want to cut it with a file,

But then... I saw you smile;

All my thoughts did I want to compile,

But then... I saw you smile;

Well, I know that this is His style,

No wonder... I saw you smile

© Nitesh Kotecha

Maybe I Think Too Much

The seed is just barely sown
and you already consider it grown?
It is only over time that
the mulberry bush becomes the silk gown;
but you just want to dig in
and over its undergrowth you frown?
Will you, Oh! Gardener,
please give it your loving touch?
But, then I say to myself,
"Yeah... Maybe I think too much."

The seed is just barely sown
and you already consider it grown?
It is only over time that
the mulberry bush becomes the silk gown;
but you just want to dig in
and over its undergrowth you frown?
Will you, Oh! Parent,
please give it your loving touch?
But, then I say to myself,
"Yeah... Maybe I think too much."

The seed is just barely sown
and you already consider it grown?
It is only over time that
the mulberry bush becomes the silk gown;
but you just want to dig in
and over its undergrowth you frown?
Will you, Oh! Almighty,
please give it your loving touch?
But, then I say to myself,
"Yeah... Maybe I think too much."

©  Nitesh Kotecha

What Is Wrong With My Garden?

Well, I did the routine chores,

Am waiting till the rain pours;

I have planted the seeds,

And removed the weeds;

Am proud that my call will be harkened

Can anybody dare say

"What is wrong with my garden?"

Well, the rain never came,

I stand and face the shame;

I had planted seeds of pride,

Into the sun I must now ride;

Nature is proud that its call is harkened

Should anybody dare ask

"What is wrong with my garden?"

A man gives to the world all he has,

And looks skywards with his eyes unfazed;

But the Lord of Time holds a mast,

The future soon becomes the past,

Time is proud that its call is harkened

It is with humility that I say

“I know what is wrong with my garden,

Oh Lord! May I beg your pardon?”

© Nitesh Kotecha

Of State Capitals And Rape Capitals – Why Many In India Have Got It Wrong

A girl was brutally raped in Delhi – India’s Capital and affectionately called by some as India’s Rape Capital.  This rape turned out to be the last straw on the raped camel’s back and people all over the country are pouring out in thousands to express their opinion on the state of affairs in India.  Well, high time.

There is much talk about stricter laws and stiff punishments for rapists.  I agree philosophically, but I feel that in demanding stricter laws and stiff punishments for rapists, we may lose a wonderful opportunity to address the real problem.

Let me explain.

The last thing India needs is a new law.  Our country is riddled with laws.  More than 1300 laws were repealed by the Ex- Law Minister Mr Ram Jethmalani sometime between 1999 and 2004 and we don’t even feel the difference of it in our lives.

There is much blame put on the Indian Politician.  I cannot understand this.

Why blame the politician?  Every country on the globe is riddled with politicians who are in politics and government for personal glory.  How many politicians sincerely work for their country?  I am sure there are some but I am pretty sure that if they had a choice, they would rather focus on how to get re-elected than on nation building.  To quote P J O’Rourke – “A little government and a little luck are necessary in life – but only a fool trusts either of them.”

An Indian citizen can effectively measure up any Indian Politician in a matter of minutes.  It is not going to take rocket science to know that the objective of government is not to govern the nation - it is to use the nation’s resources for personal advantage.

A classic way to make money is to sell goods and services to a dumb client who has no idea of how much to pay for such goods and services and as a result pays much more than the market would otherwise.  Another way to make money is to do business with a client who has much money and will never run out of it.  Another way to make money is to do business with a client who is duty bound to make payment.  The Government enterprises, companies and institutions are one such client base which has all the characteristics listed above.  It is even better if your uncle is the minister heading those very enterprises.

There is much blame put on the Indian Police.  I cannot understand this.   The police don’t function.  Any Indian should be able to see that.  This fact was obvious to Indians even before the gang rape in Delhi.  Blaming the police means one does not understand how the police function works.

A few words for the cops.  How would you feel if you had to be on the vigil protecting a politician whom you know to be a crook?  What would you do if you had to spend hours day in and out serving and observing an elected parliamentarian crook plunder the nation?  Remember, a politician can ruin the life of a cop – in minutes.  A cop is a human being too.

Now I come to the final pillar of stability in the country.  The only institution that can change India is neither the parliaments, nor the state law and order institutions.

It is the Honorable Supreme Court of India.

This is where Indians must hope for change. It is the only institution who can take decisions without fear of retribution from the politicians.

However, there are other issues that must be addressed.

The Honorable Supreme Court of India has given many wonderful decisions.  There are many Indian states and institutions who have not implemented the orders of the Supreme Court.   They are in direct contempt of the highest court in the Land for a number of judgments.  And nothing is being done about it...

This is where we Indians fail.  The Courts fail to ensure the implementation of the law.  There is much satisfaction that they derive in passing on the judgment but they are hesitant to find if their orders are being implemented.

In light of the above, what difference will one new law make? Little I presume. There is no point in a law if there is no agency which ensures that it is implemented.

Protesters must not line up at the President’s residence.  The President must act on the advice of council of ministers and as such has no real powers to do anything of consequence.

The real protest would be line up outside the Honorable Supreme Court premises and pray for justice.  The Honorable Supreme Court has suo moto powers to take cognizance of any event and pull up the concerned department.   It is the only hope for this nation.  It is the only institution with a heart and which can guarantee Indians their constitutional rights - the only change agent left in this country.

To hope for the parliament to change the nation is a gang rape in itself.

© Nitesh Kotecha

I Am A Liar But Dont Call Me A Rascal: The Sins of Parents and Teachers

An elderly person and a father was lying to his daughter.  The daughter caught him lying.  The daughter called him a rascal.  The father says “I am a liar but don’t call me a rascal.  I am your father.”

Let us now analyze this a little bit.  This little anecdote highlights the irrational demands made by the elderly, the revered and other such sacred cows.

Calling names such as rascal etc is a one time event. Lying is a perpetual habit!  Which one is worse?  The father clearly is using his position as a parent to minimize the dangers of lying as if it is a borderline virtue !

A closer look at the above text will tell you that the elderly do not only demand respect but also demand pardon – from the young!

Hello?!  Should not this be the other way round?  Are not the elders supposed to be the embodiment of experience, grace, virtue and forgiveness?   This is the only reason why we are traditionally and ritually  “programmed” to respect them.

However, this brings to light many issues... what is the cut off age for an elderly person?  How do we define such a person?  For a child of age 5, the father at age 31 is an elder – however, people of such age are still treated as young people by society.  Why not have respect for all – young and elder people? Why not give respect purely because the person deserves it or has earned it irrespective of age?

Our ancient texts have glorified the devotions that one must pay to parents, teachers and guests.  These are absolute statements much like the directive principles of state policy that is highlighted in our constitution.  Do these postulates account for situational variables?  I believe they are absolutes and disregard the situation or the psychological framework of the person.

I have had bad teachers in my life – teachers who don’t have an iota of knowledge, not an ounce of moral fiber nor any shade of decency.  Why does one have to pay obeisance to such rot?

We don’t have to, I guess.  The only way out is to forgive these people.  They have no idea of their shortcomings.  They too are programmed, by virtue of their conditioning, that since they are of age or they have a position as parents or teachers – this fact alone automatically qualifies them to receive unconditional respect, obeisance and devotion.

Forgive them.  This is the price we pay for being compassionate and mindful of people's faults. But it is the only way out

© Nitesh Kotecha

Brother... Where You Bound?

A simple look at the latest developments in technology will give you an idea about a new paradigm coming up in our work environment – substitute technology and remove the human interface.

Researchers and Developers are creating digital actors – yes animated characters so real that one would not believe that the person you see on the screen is a digital creation.  Let’s face it; the dinosaurs have been looking real ever since Jurassic Park (1993) – it is about time we have digital characters who look every bit human.

Major Motor car companies are now incorporating bio-metric signals in the cars so as to assist the driver.  The car would signal a light representing coffee – meaning the driver’s skin is emitting signs of exhaustion or fatigue.  There are minor sensors in the steering wheel which will detect undesirable jerks in driving.  The cars will then automatically reduce their top speed and switch on side sensors which will assist the driver in ensuring his safety.

Stock brokers developed algorithmic trading and now have software in place for such trading.  The manned operations are discarded and the staff given the pink slip.

What is happening?  The above events are just a sample of how technology will soon substitute routine jobs.  New jobs will be created in place as the demand for such technology increases.  And soon those jobs will be replaced with technology and other new jobs will be created.

The above events summarize the need for people to understand that if they are in to traditional jobs, routine jobs, jobs that represent skills that machines can replicate – they need to re-evaluate the career paths they may have chosen for themselves.   Of course, certain jobs cannot be replaced – technology cannot replace a judge or a lawyer at a court.  Politics will not allow technology to replace a cricket umpire! Or an elected representative for that matter!

The current definitions of a business degree will need to undergo a metamorphosis in the sense that future business leaders will see pressure mounting on them as they meet the challenges of such changes in their business.  Curriculum focused only on the administrative side of businesses will need to be revised to accommodate for developing ability in spotting trends.

© Nitesh Kotecha

If

If you can keep your head when all about you

Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,

But make allowance for their doubting too:

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,

Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,

Or being hated don't give way to hating,

And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream---and not make dreams your master;

If you can think---and not make thoughts your aim,

If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster

And treat those two impostors just the same:.

If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken

Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,

Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,

And stoop and build'em up with worn-out tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings

And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,

And lose, and start again at your beginnings,

And never breathe a word about your loss:

If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew

To serve your turn long after they are gone,

And so hold on when there is nothing in you

Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,

Or walk with Kings---nor lose the common touch,

If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,

If all men count with you, but none too much:

If you can fill the unforgiving minute

With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,

Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,

And---which is more---you'll be a Man, my son!

By Rudyard Kipling

Top Ten Ways To Eliminate Corruption in India

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

© Nitesh Kotecha

To Wonder

To crush and to ridicule one, people may try

But it does not make sense to wonder

All the what which where when and why?

Some scheme and connive, some may even lie

But it does not make sense to wonder

Why lesser mortals don’t change till they die?

To improve or to destroy? Even God gives a sigh

But it does not make sense to wonder

In which manner did God cut the pie?

'm scribbling these lines to you my children

Just keep smiling and don’t you ever cry

In this world it is no wonder

We go forward only if we try try and try

© Nitesh Kotecha

Don’t Let Yourself Be Hurt This Time

The gazelle slowly walked 

As her mother patiently talked

"We are the lion's meat

Everyday is not so neat

Calm your senses as you eat

For the bell will ring

And loud will be the chime

Don’t let yourself be hurt this time"

Don’t let yourself be hurt this time

Don’t let yourself be hurt this time

The boy quickly shook

As his father gave a last look

"I know I have been rude

'm sick 'n can’t have any food

Gimme a hug 'n make me feel good

For the bell will ring

And loud will be the chime

Don’t let yourself be hurt this time"

Don’t let yourself be hurt this time

Don’t let yourself be hurt this time

© Nitesh Kotecha

Old Wine - Computer Education in India

The world is different place now then at the time when I attended school.  Today, social networks and mainstream media are an integral part of all communication that takes place – whether it is Business, Politics, or Social Life.  However, the state department of education has participated just a little.

Teachers, Educators, Parents and Students do understand how learning is changing.   However, I am of the opinion that the involvement is just not so large enough, for our schools in India.

Many students are immersed in social networks and cellular technology outside of school life, and there are not enough adults in their lives who can guide them as to how they can use those connections to learn.  Our access to information, people and ideas is exploding on the net.  However, the education system in India has had this inability to recognize the paradigm shift.  The Education Boards do not fully understand the learning process that are needed for learners who want to share their knowledge and interests. 

The syllabus and course material does attempt to integrate the net and media with the way we learn, BUT, the examinations and their formats, together with state education board politics ensure that such 21st century skills do not amount to much.

My stay in USA had me interacting on the UNiX software by AT&T.  There was no graphic user interface.  Communicating was cumbersome (If you wanted to chat with somebody at a site - say school.com, you had to use for a command a word that was rather inappropriate - “finger xyz@school.com”!!!)

The net is now easy.  However, this ease does not necessarily guarantee education and growth.    The content on the net is much, but essentially that work reflects what we were doing with pen and paper.  The medium of publication has changed and nothing else.

21-century skills are just not possible for schools that are run by archaic school education boards which in turn are controlled by politicians and antediluvian academic dinosaurs.

Here are some thoughts:

- Mathematics is taught beautifully on the internet, free of charge, by the Khan academy (www.khanacademy.org).  I wish I had learnt to tame this monster this way.  Why cannot school children “officially” learn their material from websites such as these?

- I have downloaded dance numbers and videos that explain economic theories!  It is fun!

- School going children and schools must publish their own teaching skills at their own websites.  All school going children must have their own blogs at the school website where they are encouraged not only to share know but to also develop their own content.  The school webmaster can surely monitor the content.

Our ability to easily publish content online will force us to rethink the way we communicate with students, the way we deliver our curriculum and the expectations from the next generation.  Likewise, Teachers and Professors must publish their own content on blogs and encourage participation from students.

- Blogging on school websites allow children to have an audience and thus the children may grow to be more confident.

- Publishing self-content will force the children to have better critical, writing and analytical skills.

It is understood that the above model suggests a school which has funds and has children whose parents can afford the higher expenditure.  This is ok.

© Nitesh Kotecha

Alone

My dear children

Whichever road you may choose

You could win or you could loose

Either way

You must learn to walk alone

This world is your playground

You could play or just go round n’ round

Either way

You must lean to run alone

You may have no room at all

You may have your back against the wall

Anyway

You must learn to crawl alone

I could go on and on

But its time that I move on

I will always be there for you

But, you must learn to think alone.

© Nitesh Kotecha

Mathematics By Rote

Believe me, I knew my algebra, the rational (and the irrational) numbers and how to find the hypotenuse!

Nevertheless, herein lays the problem for me at school.  Why on earth was I working so hard at my algebra?  I could never understand for the life of me the purpose of learning the algebraic identities, the rational number sequences etc.  Why does one need to know by rote the properties of rational numbers?

My issue was that Students need the Teacher to explain to them the use of such techniques and bridge the gap between the textbook and the real life.  (AC)^2 = (AB)^2 + (BC)^2  by itself just did not work then, at least not for me.

Our Mathematical questions did have some practical connotation "If a rope of length so and so is laid alongside a wall of length...etc" but believe me; these problems were taught in a mechanical fashion like "If the word problem contains length of a rope or a shadow, use the Pythagoras formula to solve the problem..."

Here is some more.  CBSE pedagogy prescribed the deduction of a "half a mark" for not writing the abbreviation "Ans" at the last line. Likewise for the letters "QED" at the end of the theorems. My teacher would warn us that the Board would deduct such marks and we should be careful about it.

I am sure all here will reflect on this ludicrous emphasis that the Board put, in order to ensure that we have this clerical mentality and penchant for the silliest and the most insignificant details on earth.  It is this attitude that reduced Mathematics to a rote.

A word now, for my Math teachers.  I perfectly understood, later, that it was impossible for them to do what I thought they should be doing.  The number of students, course syllabus, CBSE rules and rituals, etc., binds the teachers.

So, as much as I would like to absolve my teachers, Mathematics and the CBSE still deserve every invective for the way the subject was designed in the 1970s!

Yes, Mathematics still needs to grow up and solve its own problems.  If it needs our assistance, then it better make efforts to convince us that it shares a symbiotic relationship with us students! (He He)

I have a copy of a text book on mathematics for Grade 8 by Orient Blackswan.  I will write for here, word for word, the manner in which it introduces the topic on rational numbers

"There is a need to extend the number system to find answers to problems like 1/3 - 1/2 or 5 divided by 3.  Just as we extended the whole number system to the left of 0 to get negative integers, we now extend the number system to so as to include all fractions.  In this number system, corresponding to every positive fraction to the right of Zero, there is a corresponding negative fraction to the left of Zero.  Thus:

-1/3 corresponds to + 1/3 and so on.  We call this the rational number system."

There is nothing wrong with what is written above except that it is as boring as steamed rice.

The text mentions, "there is a need to extend the number system..." This is an assertion, which can sound unconvincing to Grade 8 students. I am sure somebody can do a better job of making the use of this subject matter more interesting for students.

Now, for a little bit of my experience with mathematics in USA.  My Professor was from Russia.  When he taught us mathematics, he made it clear that he is not interested in "Mathematical Regurgitation" (He actually had another word for "regurgitation" but it would be inappropriate for me to use it on this forum).  He was of the opinion that "Mathematical Regurgitation" is something Asian students love to do.

He insisted that all problems are to be solved to a simple level and not to its simplest level.  This meant that once we had reached an answer (say) 3 + 2, we were advised to stop working on this problem and move ahead to another problem as the answer 3 + 2 is simple enough. There is no need to total it to 5.  And here is the best part - He said that he would deduct a mark for writing 5 as the answer as we would be wasting time and not adding any meaning to what was already simplified as 3 + 2.

This system is markedly different from our Indian counterpart.  In my opinion, the Indian draconian system of marks allocation, for every significant and insignificant step of the mathematical problem, is more an extension of the latent desire for power and domination that many in the education department and government harbor (apart from imparting a petty and clerical mentality on students).

The math class in USA eventually prepared us for a level where we understood the implications of calculus on financial statements, how algebra is a must for a newspaper layout editor etc.

Therefore, the point is that the system in USA put a great deal of emphasis on "knowing the subject at hand and enhancing one's ability to solve one's problems by using mathematics".

I consistently use Calculus for my management accounting and financial reporting work.  However, one can argue that this is all at graduate school level.  However, I am sure, similar simple practical uses can be demonstrated to students in primary and secondary schools so that students clearly understand their own need to study mathematics.

© Nitesh Kotecha

The Amorphous House

Our past, in some way, gives a certain direction to the future.  We all must bear the burden of our past, for all those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it.

It is this idea that has fomented a series of linear, non linear, and tangential  thoughts in my mind which I would like to share.

We all live in houses with four pillars defining the area covered.  This rather amorphous house (the subject of this short story) is short one pillar.  Why do I call it amorphous?

It is necessary in the house that the pillars remain equidistant from each other, in order to maintain symmetry and balance.  It is not so and therefore the house is amorphous.

The house tilts as a result, precipitating a need for external support.

A single bamboo shoot supports the house today.

Bamboo shoots support houses made of bamboo and not of cement and brick.

Bamboo shoots cannot guard against cyclones.

Common sense says a house of cement and brick is much stronger than a house made of bamboo.

Worms gradually eat into the bamboo making it weaker and hollow.  We cannot blame the worms.  Bamboo is of use to them.

Bamboo shoots break when a concrete house leans on it.

It is not the function of the bamboo to support the house of cement and brick.

The residents of the house cannot see the house tilt.

They cannot see because it is dark.

It is dark because there is no light in the house.  Worms thrive in the dark.

There is no light because the electricity has been turned off.  In addition, the shutters have been pulled down on the windows.

The residents pride in their ability to see in the dark (like bats).  Unlike bats, they stumble and fall in the dark.  Scars, bumps and abrasions prove this.

The light is barred from the house because it blinds the residents.

Reality surfaces when there is light.

Reality exposes all illusions and breaks all dreams.

It is essential to differentiate between vision and a dream.  Vision is a flower on the stem of reality, which in turn, is rooted in life.

© Nitesh Kotecha

Dream It

Oh my children!

You are so lovely

I know you both will make it

But, nothing will happen unless you dream it

Our life is our thoughts

And when we think, we create it

And it will happen just the way you dream it

Things may look good on the surface,

Ignore the bottom; ‘n the top? Just skim it

It works only the way you dream it

Private Victories are fundamental

It’s the bigots who yell and scream it

Triumph comes to the silent who just dream it

Oh my dear ones

When we walk down the road

The rocks may cause us to fall

Get up and move, once you cleanse it

Nothing else will matter, once you’ve dreamt it

©Nitesh Kotecha

Detachment from Attachment

Infants need to develop a relationship with at least one person for social and emotional development to occur normally. We see that during growth, the infant explores the world by crawling to and from a person (usually the mother), who, psychologically, is a safe and protected anchor.  The separation from such a person, even temporarily, is followed by grief.

We, as adults, then carry over these patterns of attachment, even though they were healthy for us when we were infants.  These attachments are now in the form of people, thoughts and beliefs, inanimate egocentric objects, and sensation inducing substances – including gormandizing!

The loss of people and the purgation of our thoughts and beliefs (in the light of new and challenging evidence) cause the maximum amount of grief and challenges for us.  The loss of the near ones is understandable and does not require explanation.  Let us look at our attachment to thoughts and beliefs.

Our attachments to our perceptions, thoughts, beliefs about our relationships with people, expectations about how our country must conduct itself create resistance and do not permit us to change.  Therefore, the very attachment, which, during our infancy, promoted growth and development, now brings us resistance, grief, agony and heartache.  The problem lies in the carry-over of this habit into adulthood mostly because of our need for safety, security and protection.

Understanding death and dying is the primary step that provides redemption.  Our religious and spiritual texts healthily promote the insignificance of the material body and everlasting nature of our soul.  This understanding helps us reframe the way we understand the people, situations and the material possessions in our life.

Holding on to our existing thoughts and beliefs, in spite of challenging counterviews as feedback, is nothing but our attachment to our desire to be right.

How about being attached to love and forgiveness?  To quote Rumi, “Love is a perfect muzzle of evil; without love who ever succeeded in stopping evil?”

© Nitesh Kotecha

No Mountain Too Great

‘m scribbling a thought on this page

“Keep walking even if it’s steep”

In case you read this a little late

Just remember, that there is no mountain too great

There is this old adage

 “Miles to go before you sleep”

Now life is a dish and not an empty plate

So remember, that there is no mountain too great

We all soon learn

“Life has its twists and turns”

Don’t you waver; just keep your faith

And remember, that there is no mountain too great

Well my dear son

“Keep smiling and don’t ever weep”

We never know what lies in our fate

But remember, that there is no mountain too great

© Nitesh Kotecha

Alone We Fly

There was once a seagull

In search of food for his little one

The search took all day

So he took a deep breath to say

“Alone we fly, my dear son”

In the fine tradition of his people

He flew out with his little one

The lesson took all day

And he took a deep breath to say

“Alone we fly, my dear son”

Soon his health was a little dull

He sent a word out for his little one

The moment took all day

When he took a deep breath to say

“Alone we fly, my dear son”

Of course there is a moral

For a story as simple as this one

But I am not going to say

Will just take a deep breath to say

“Alone we fly, my dear son”

©Nitesh Kotecha