Emma

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Long time ago, on an island, there lived a small boy with an old lady. His name was Ed and the old lady was known as Emma. The island was surrounded by a beautiful forest and sea. They lived in a small log house. Most of the things in the house, including the house, were made by Emma when she was young. Emma loved Ed very much. She was a very strong and pure lady. But she was getting old. Emma wanted to teach Ed everything she knew. Ed was an intelligent boy. To keep the boy occupied as well as happy, she decided to have a set of activities.

One early morning Emma woke up Ed and took him to the sea. Water was crystal blue. Playfully she began teaching him to swim. Ed loved the sea. He collected lots of shells and after a couple of hours Emma brought him home. She made breakfast for him. Fruits were in abundance in the forest and also Emma had created her own vegetable garden where she  grew various vegetables. She began teaching him to read and write. Emma had one trunk full of books. She picked up one book and began reading stories to him. When Ed started getting bored she opened the trunk and took out paints and brushes. She told Ed to close his eyes imagine a picture and then draw that picture. Ed was a quick learner. And he asked lots of questions to Emma. Ed also learnt to make small wooden things from the bark of a tree. In the evening Emma took Ed for fishing. They sat on the pier catching fish and talking for hours. By late evening they returned home with a basket full fishes. But more important for Ed was the time they spent together where he could learn so much from Emma.

Their life went on. Emma made sure to change her routine every now and then so that Ed didn't get bored. Sometimes she would take Ed through the forest where he learnt to climb trees. He was full of energy and enthusiasm. Sometimes after returning home Emma would teach Ed about stars,sun,moon,earth and other planets. Ed loved Emma. Every night after putting Ed to sleep, Emma would open the trunk and note down his progress and accordingly change his activities for the next few days. Ed was growing up and Emma needed to keep pace. She hadn't had many years left.

Years flew by and one day as Emma was putting Ed to sleep he asked " Emma, how did my mama look?". She said " Ed, she was the most beautiful girl I ever saw and you look just like her". Ed asked " What about my papa?". Before Emma could answer Ed had fallen asleep.

Next morning Emma took Ed to the forest. They walked till they came to a place surrounded by huge trees. They could hear birds chirping and waterfall somewhere afar. Emma plucked some flowers, held Ed's hand and led him to a small clearing. It was his mom's grave. Emma said " This is where I buried you mama. She was a beautiful lady". Emma had put a hand drawn photo of his mom on the tomb which she took it and handed it to Ed. Ed looked at the photo with tears in his eyes and looked at Emma. Emma hugged him and said " I have been waiting for this moment. Let's sit here for sometime". Ed and Emma sat under the shade of a gigantic tree. Emma spread a mat and laid out the meal she had brought with her. They sat there, eating in silence feeling protected in each other's company. At last Emma said " Let's go back home. There is a lot to talk about". Gentle breeze was blowing and somewhere in the distance they could hear the sound of the waterfall as it came crashing down on the rocks below. And then Emma said..

Ed and his mama had been washed up ashore on a huge trunk. probably of a ship. Emma had gone to the sea for fishing when she saw them and quickly brought them to her house. Ed's mom was barely alive and survived only for a day. Ed was then about three years old. Emma buried her in the forest. She vowed to take care of Ed till someone came to take him back.

As they reached home, Ed was visibly shaken and tired. He asked Emma to tell him everything.

Emma's husband was a fisherman. They had been on the island ever since Emma could remember. Whenever he went far into the sea for fishing and met a ship sailing, he would exchange few things with them. Some of the things in the house were brought by him this way. The trunk in which Emma kept her books and other things were made by Emma from the piece of log  on which Ed and his mom had arrived. One day Emma's husband did not return and she lived alone till she found Ed. After hearing Emma's story Ed closed his eyes and said " Emma, I love you".

Next morning Emma picked up the only unread book from the trunk and read out to Ed. At the end of the day she marked Ed's progress in her card.

Few days went by. Emma had shared all her knowledge with Ed. One morning when she took Ed to the sea, she saw one small boat approaching. She could see a ship moored a little farther into the sea. When the boat touched the shore, one handsome young man embarked and started toward them. Emma felt the moment had arrived. He introduced himself as Tom and Emma a could immediately see the resemblance between Tom and Ed. Even Ed felt it and he asked " Dad?". Tom nodded.

Ed and his mama had gone on a voyage. Tom couldn't accompany them as he was busy with his work. The ship on which they were sailing got caught up in a storm and they were thrown up on this island. No survivors were found. But Tom had not lost hopes and he kept looking for them. Finally after so many year he had found them. But Emma told tom that his wife had died the moment she had arrived. Tom was heart broken. Emma told Tom everything from the time they had arrived on this island. After hearing, Tom couldn't thank Emma enough. Now the moment Emma had been waiting for had arrived. she made it easier and said " Tom, I am getting old and can't handle your little brat anymore. Please take him with you". And then Emma cried.

Ed was confused and torn between Tom and Emma. Tom told Emma " Emma, you could come with us". But he knew the answer. Ed shook uncontrollably till Emma gave him a big hug. Emma said " Ed, I don't have anything to give you as a parting gift".  Ed replied " Emma, you don't realize what you've given me. The things you taught me and the way you took care of me is the greatest treasure I could ever have. And also, it is not a parting gift since I will one day come back to take you with me".

With tears in their eyes, Tom and Ed departed. Emma held back her tears with a supreme effort as she didn't want Ed to see the disappointment but just love in her eyes. Tom held Ed's hand and they sailed away.