I had a dream last night, a strange one.

When I woke up, it left me thinking deeply.

I wish to share it with all of you so that I can sort out some things in my head. It goes as this…

It is the rainy season. You are leaving your home for a long walk…how far, you don’t really know. The sky is clear right now. You take your umbrella just in case it rains midway. The umbrella is pretty…delicate and beautiful .You are enjoying the path when you notice a kid who is playing by the roadside. You talk to him, chatting for some time. Suddenly, it starts drizzling. You open your umbrella and even ask that child to come under it so that he may not become wet. Its drizzling mildly and both of you move ahead. The kid asks you to hold the umbrella closer to him. You do…wanting to be kind.

Then the sky becomes clear again. You shut the umbrella lightly and smile as the Sun pops up again. The child and you are getting along nicely with each other… Then you realize that the Sun is becoming way too hot and unbearable…you seek shelter under your dear umbrella again. This time, the boy asks you to let him hold the umbrella saying that he can take care of it too. You give it to him not wanting to hurt him. The boy takes it for granted. Later, when you have walked further, the kid says that the umbrella is his own. He starts throwing tantrums and demands more. When you say that the umbrella is yours and not his, he starts shouting. He unexpectedly becomes very violent and breaks the umbrella. Your favorite umbrella is broken down to pieces in front of your eyes. The kid takes the stick and hits you with it. You are flabbergasted and so shocked that you become numb for a moment. But you choose to stay quiet at the moment. The child walks off, fuming and swearing. You bend down to pick up your broken umbrella with strange feelings…afraid to help even yourself. It begins pouring down heavily right then. You are shocked to think as to what you did to have this happen with you. Pushing these thoughts aside, you repair your umbrella and calm down yourself. Then you move ahead on your own, ok to be alone, trying to forget the nightmarish experience you have had.

And then after some turns ahead, the boy pops up again. he says sorry for everything he has done to you. He is genuinely sorry saying that he had been very stupid to hurt you. He promises not to hurt you ever again. Then he asks you for the umbrella again. You can see that he is very sorry…you forgive him for that. Just then another kid comes running down the road and dashes into him. He swears loudly and shouts at that child. The child runs away frightened. The boy looks back to you and desires to have the umbrella again. You do not wish to give him your umbrella….because you are afraid of it being torn again and more than that, you are afraid of being hit again...he cries when you refuse to give him. He becomes very miserable and cries too bitterly…

What should you do now? Should you stick to your decision or give him the umbrella just because he is crying….when you are thinking this………..your dream breaks…..

What do you think you should do?

P.S: I understand that the above is completely abstract. But this can happen in real life too...with much greater magnitude...Think about it...

What should you do then?