The Script-less Language of Water: A Persuasive Piece

This brief descriptive article themed 'Water Conservation', is a grim attempt to awaken our heads, and hearts to the unfortunate harsh reality of our world. Through description, it raises an alarm in our minds about the days - that are not too far - when even money would fail to provide easy access to water, if not conserved. Being an idealist myself, I am NEVER for the idea of pricing water, but nothing better can be expected in this world that runs on commerce, where happiness exists in trading, and not unconditional giving, where even nature's free and abundant gifts are priced on the excuse of their scarcity. Taking a dystopic stand, I suspect the near-arrival of an era, where - forget money and property - people would wage 'water wars'. It's high time we conserve water, not because we have to, but because we are 'humans' - compassionate individuals, aren't we?

When you stand at the banks of a swiftly flowing river, you seem to observe its gushing waters that traverse the uneven landscapes as they flow. The water appears to be a grand collection of transparent glass-like pearls that shine when the sun rays fall upon them. As the water pearls - that give a silvery hue - roll down the steep downward gradient, they seem to be conveying something. Yes! And, a ruffling sound  is also heard. Now, don’t assume that I possess knowledge of their language but I certainly can feel the river’s longing to convey something. Not only me but all humans and animals, who truly feel the earth to be their home ‘feel’ the script-less language of water. It seems to be narrating a tale of its perilous and arduous journey down the hills. How pure was its water in the beginning, innocent to the adulterated substances of the city. Then, as it approaches the hellish atmosphere of the city, it is bound to lose its purity. 

Why does that happen? Only because of the heights of insensitivity we bear towards it. Only because of a lack of gratitude. Why not change our perception and fill the depths of our hearts with emotion for the indispensable water? Why don’t we free ourselves from the debt that we bear for water’s generosity? What could be a better way to release ourselves from debt than just realising that we are nothing but mere dust without water - nature’s priceless gift?

Gaurav Chandra Tuli