The pallid moon light in the night sky could only render all images very obscure; the dark shadows of the trees silhouetted against the backdrop of the sky, all rendered a semi- mythical significance to the otherwise peaceful terrains; the flapping of wings and the ardent cries of a flight of night birds could be heard that were flying over the tree tops across the moon, perhaps to their destination, where from they had come. Beneath the sky, over the terrains, the waters reflected the pale moon light, the shadows of the near by objects on the waters appeared crumbling, the sound of the sluggish flow of the waters was audible, rupturing the silence of the night.

The shadows of a tall frame accompanied by some animal figure could be seen moving across the terrains, slowly… he reaches the distant horizon where perhaps u could see the moon rise and set, remains there for some time and then again proceeds back home. Who is this elusive entity? What kinda person is he?  The singular “me “in this story may be regarded as the progression of time, some sort of a nature element that had existed in these terrains since time immortal, that has seen the lands grow and flourish, witnessed all achievements as well as misfortunes of the local folks and then of course narrates the story of that tall frame.

     Well, he was a person by the name of Mr. Hudson, who in his younger years been in the army, often would remain out of station, being summoned on his duties of fighting the enemy … in the course of his extensive travels , he had seen much of the world and its peoples. In his younger years, Hudson was vivacious, with striking looks and a pleasing personality and there was absolutely no dearth of gals for him, many country gals wishing to marry Hudson. Hudson enjoyed the attention true, but he would only ignore  the gals hovering over him and then that there was a maid, a lively young gal with a little boy, her child from a   former broken marriage, that drew his attention. Soon Hudson started courting this young damsel, bringing her flowers and occasional gifts and candies for the child. Time progresses …. “I “witnessing the flirt and frolicking of two rustic people caught in the delusion of a common phenomenon called “love “.

And then that the war came, Hudson was called on battle front, he was appointed the senior most official in his regiment. Thus the ongoing romance was ruptured and though Hudson promised the damsel that he would be returning soon and then take care of her and the child, assuring that there was no question of betrayal, “I “doubted. ….

Two years had passed by since then, the battle ended, but there was no trace of Hudson. Meanwhile in the terrains, life wasn’t going that well as before, the crops in the lands were inflicted by locusts , a national and a natural disaster, the misery of the folks , once smiling people, was now very evident, many died and the damsel was taken seriously ill.

       And it was on one such day, that Hudson returned alone to this now turned grave lands that only spoke of misery , deplorable, many people had died starving and his luv, the damsel was also on the brink of death. Hudson had very little time to comfort her, the wretched soul and then that she died …

Being time’s progression, I could sense what was happening and would be happening now and then….

 Well, Hudson, after all, wasn’t that bad ; he was mature and took custody of his forlorn lover’s child, the little boy. They now lived in a house near the waters, overlooking the mountains in the distance and the rich forests were adjacent to it. …

Today is one of the many usual nights and I could see Hudson, the tall frame along with his dog “ Timothy “ slowly moving up the ragged hills to the distant horizon, they remain there for some time till the moon sets and then collecting mushrooms from the forests return homewards. The little boy is fast asleep in his cozy bed…. Hudson returns home , his mind filled with memories of the nature’s spectacle, the lovely  moon , all the more, reminds him of the innocent face of his lover “ the country gal “. …

The lights have been now turned off in the cottage and Hudson had retired to sleep, being the progression of time, “ I “ have no sleep, but passively witness as to all that happens in this fierce, fine world of ours….