METAMORHOSIS

We broke the bonds that undermined and made us dependent.
Myths that had been stuck in our minds for generations past were
revisited, and we discarded the rot.
We got rid of the images that had been created by others and
came into our own.
We were illiterate and ignorant. We had been denied formal
schooling because Society had seen it as neither fit nor
beneficial.
With or without formal education, we became enlightened to the
inadequacies of this world and its injustice.
Our contribution to society was disregarded; we cooked,
cleaned, and took care of the family.
The work we did was menial, but we fed, clothed, and educated
the nation on our meagre salary.
With no backing from society nor benefactors, we struggled but
succeeded to bring about the winds of change.
There was no force nor struggle. The land had no inkling even as
we trampled upon it in multitudes.
Our resolve was steadfast. We were determined to create a better
world for our children.
A place where they could be nurtured and appreciated, never
enforced nor dictated to.
We did not follow society and raise them according to the ‘old
school’.
We had been deprived all our lives because we were dependent
upon our male counterparts for mere survival.
We lacked finances. But the resources within our minds were
bountiful. Everyone but ourselves underestimated our
intelligence and ability, and the love that burned like fire within
our hearts,
We did not raise our voices, nor did we take up arms.
We stayed meek and obedient as we had been raised, but we
became a force to be reckoned with.
Violence was never part of us or in our nature; we remained quiet
and humble.
Never raised a finger nor uttered a word to complain.
But our resolve was unprecedented and remains unbeatable and
unbroken.
We slipped in and out like a thief in the night, unseen and
unheard.
Considered as of no consequence and downtrodden, we became
the heroes of change.
Either single-handedly or helped by our partners, we altered the
order of things by changing ourselves.
It was as if we went through the process of metamorphosis, and
the world succumbed.
We demolished the bridges in communication that restricted us
to speak openly and ‘not to answer back’.
Instead, we discussed with our siblings and children face-to-face,
as equals. Respect was no longer enforced from the younger to
the elders.
Instead, we set it upon ourselves to earn respect from our
children.
Rather than dictate to our children, we became their role models.
We no longer restricted them to yes and no answers but also
allowed them to say ‘I don’t know’.
We stopped dictating things to them but partnered with them as
they explored and learned.
As children, opportunities were denied to us. For our children,
we opened doors and paved the way to their freedom.
We were never given a chance to air our views, but to our
children, we gave an open ear and encouraged them to talk and
to confide in us.
We did not spoon-feed them nor did we give them the answers
on a platter.
We, however, shared and showed them the how and the knowhow.
We revised everything; the sky was no longer the limit. We let
our children determine their own fate.
Our only rule was that there should be no limits in our children’s
lives.