CHARACTERS
Neha-A 11-year-old disabled girl who lived with her parents in Kolkata.
Meghdoot- The cloud in the sky
SCENE-1
Neha was sitting in a wheelchair in the park watching her friends play. As she watched them running and jumping around, she felt sad how she longed to join them in their fun! But she knew she could never do that. She could not even walk. Suddenly a drop of water fell on her nose. She looked up. She saw a cloud with a human face- two eyes, a nose, a mouth curved in a smile. She was surprised. She thought she was dreaming. So, she pinched herself. But itwas a cloud winking at her.
Meghdoot: (with a deep rumbling voice)No, you are not dreaming, little one.
She looked up again, her eyes widening in surprise.
Meghdoot: Hello!
(It was clear now to Sneha that it was a cloud that was talking to her.)
Neha: B…but clouds can`t talk.
Meghdoot: But this cloud can.
Neha: Ar…are you a g…ghost?
Meghdoot: I am Meghdoot, a friendly cloud. I was a human being like you centuries ago. I loved children and always spent time with them. When I died, I begged God not to send me heaven or hell but to keep me where I could be with all my best friends. So, he turned me into a cloud.
Neha: (surprisingly)Wow! Can everyone talk to you?
Meghdoot: No, only the children I want to talk, can hear me and speak to me. For the rest, I am simply a plain old cloud drifting in the sky.
Neha: Why did you choose me?
Meghdoot: I found you sad and lonely, so I thought I would cheer you up. But what is your name?
Neha: Yes, you did. My name is Neha. I want to play like others, but I can`t. I feel I am useless. I will always be a burden on others, and Ican never do anything in my life.
Meghdoot: (after a pause) Okay, let me think of something. See you later.
SCENE-2
A few days later, Neha was sitting on the veranda of her house reading a book.
Meghdoot: Well, little one, how are you?
(Neha looked up. Meghdoot was floating above the neem tree in her garden. Neha`s face brightened up.)
Neha: Where were you all these days?
Meghdoot: I was doing a little investigation. I have found that you have a very melodious voice, and you sing pretty well.
Neha: Me? But the only time I sing in the bathroom.
Meghdoot: I also know that both your parents wanted you to learn singing, but you refused.
Neha: I don’t think I can sing. No one will appreciate me. Everyone will laugh at me.
Meghdoot: That is your problem; you don’t have confidence. You can become a great singer. Of course, you have to work hard.
Neha: How can you be so sure?
Meghdoot: I sincerely believe that God is very just. If he takes away an ability, then he compensates by giving some unique quality. In your case, God has given you a beautiful voice.
Neha: (hesitantly) I don’t think so.
Meghdoot: Please, little one, have faith in me and today tell your parents that you will learn singing.
(Neha started learning music. She had worked very hard at honing her musical talent. Gradually, she began giving performances on TV as well as on stage.
On her 12th birthday, her album was released at the Tagore Auditorium. The day after the release, Neha was sitting in the park, and she felt some familiar drops on her nose. She looked up, and it was Meghdoot.)
Meghdoot: Happy?
Neha: Very much, and the credit goes to you. But where were you yesterday?
Meghdoot: I was outside the auditorium, perched on a banyan tree, watching my little one enjoying herself. But I will now be bidding goodbye.
Neha: But why?
Meghdoot: Neha, there are many other little ones like you who are suffering. And right now, their need is far greater than yours.
(Neha sat still, her eyes growing misty.)
Neha:(mumbling) I will miss you, Meghdoot.
Meghdoot: I will miss you too, little one.
(And as the cloud floated away, Neha could feel two drops falling on her cheeks and mingling with her tears.)