"One Picture And One Story Week #80"

YOUR SHADOW, A REMINDER YOU'RE NEVER ALONE

In the waning light of the afternoon, a single, elongated shadow stretched itself across the warm, grainy sand, faithfully echoing every movement of Ravi. He stood motionless, his gaze fixed on the dark outline that mimicked his every step—a silent observer that advanced and paused in perfect unison with him. This ever-present companion, though wordless, seemed to encapsulate the quiet persistence of the day.

When Ravi was a boy, shadows interest him. He would chase his own shadow across the courtyard and it was all fun filled, laughing as it stretched and shrank with the changing light. No matter how fast he ran he could never outran his shadow, hence, was always just out of reach.

One evening, as he stood watching his shadow lengthen in the fading sun, his grandfather placed a firm yet gentle hand on his shoulder. “Your shadow is proof that you are here,” he smile obviously noting the fun he usually have with his shadow. Then his grandpa added, “As long as your shadow follows you, you’re never truly alone.”

Back then, those words had simply made him smile. Only years later did he begin to understand what his grandfather really meant.

As we all know, time changes everything. His grandfather was gone, and the weight of adulthood had pulled Ravi into a life crowded with responsibilities. He no longer paused to notice the little things -like the shadow that once filled him with smile.

Years passed and everything is now different. Ravi had returned to his childhood village, back to the place where he first learned to chase shadows and have fun on little things. The dry earth beneath his feet as he pull off his shoe serve to recalled his mind, the rustling of the trees is fun fill again, the warmth of the afternoon sun—it all felt familiar, like stepping into a memory he hadn’t visited in years.

As he stood there, watching his shadow stretch across the ground, something stirred deep inside his mind - a memory of his grandpa. The boy who had once run through these fields, laughing at the way the light played tricks, was still there.

A soft breeze lifted the dust at his feet. A small smile formed on his lips. Maybe his grandfather had been right all along. As long as his shadow stayed with him, he was never truly alone.

With that thought, Ravi took a step forward. His shadow moved with him, just as it always had.

I invite on @edu-chemist	@basil20	@casv

to comment and partake in the contest.

BEST REGARDS @berda01