‘It is not only for what we do that we are responsible but for what we do not do’

       Of late, I make it a point to check out the good movies on TV. If the name appeals to me I somehow tear myself away from Sulekha and watch it. Helps me to stray from my obsession with Blogging. Yesterday Sony Pix happened to screen ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’. Felt good watching it. 

       There are three scenes in the movie that deserve mention. Atticus Finch, a principled lawyer with unimpeachable ethics, who defends a Black, has just lost a case to a biased jury. Everyone below, but the Black crowd on the balcony, has left the courtroom. As Atticus is gathering his papers, one by one the grateful crowd gets up and as he is passing by they all give him a standing but silent ovation. 

      The second is when Atticus explains to his children about how it is a sin to kill a mockingbird.

 ‘Why Atticus?’ Scout asks.

 ‘Because the mockingbird is merely a songbird. It does not destroy crops. It does not harm anybody. It only sings for people and makes them happy.'
 

     The third scene is when the mysterious Bogeyman Boo Radley, about whom a monstrous legend has been developed, and who secretly keeps showering little trinkets to his only friends, suddenly appears as a saviour to present the children with his final gift- their lives. Atticus and the Sheriff then ponder about the consequences of revealing his identity to the world. Scout is against it. Simply because the child feels that this act would tantamount to killing a mockingbird!

    The movie left me with mixed feelings. Although I was transported to the past, where memories of this novel (prescribed for our ninth standard syllabus) were sharply brought into focus, it also landed me in the present to what is going on in Sulekha. 

    Is it okay to gather forces and relentlessly hunt out a lone mockingbird from the garden? Is it okay to then expose it to a laughing world? In all probability it seems quite judgmental and condemnatory. No one has a right to interfere in anyone’s personal space. Every bird in the garden is free to sing. And as long as it merely mimics the songs of other birds or as long as it keeps everyone amused and entertained, it is definitely a sin to go after it. 

     But what if the scenario suddenly changes? What if the bird decides to go a little beyond the mocking stage? What if it dares to fly down from the rostrum and start pecking at a few? Most probably the persons closest to the victim would try to shoo it away. Some, for fear of being hurt, would obviously keep their distance. And others, especially those that walk in the garden, without any handles for support or anonymity, will dread the consequences of another sullied controversy. They would therefore prefer to remain quiet. But silence is often misinterpreted. Most often than not for cowardice!

    However, if the intelligent bird gets the message, goes back to the tree and resumes its melodious singing and mimicking, everyone would again be happy. Perhaps even those that were pecked upon because like time, which may or may not heal wounds, humility certainly does. Everything would again be back to normal.  However, what if this does not happen and the pecking persists? What if the wounds keep getting deeper? What if they start to bleed? What if they get gangrenous? It then becomes painful not only for the wounded but also for those watching the act. 

     When something like this happens, most probably the ones who tried to shoo the bird away will now start to get a little aggressive. They might even resort to assault. But attack is not always the best form of defense. It can also turn into a battleground of egos where baseless accusations are hurled at each other and the situation made to turn disgustingly gory, sometimes to such an extent that the crux of the matter is often lost. Is it okay then for the rest in the garden to pretend to be blind and continue to ogle a Blog war with glee? That again doesn’t seem right. Especially if things seem to be blowing way out of proportion and we have better things to do than merely squabble. 

      Most of us here have come with an intention- to read, to write and to interact! As long as the dramas that keep happening in the backdrop are innocuous and amusing, it can be taken in the right spirit. We are not naïve enough to pretend that having stepped into the rain under the open sky, we will never get wet. But to keep on standing there and to keep on getting drenched to the extent that we catch pneumonia and perish, that seems a little irrational. Naturally, it then makes sense to unfold our umbrellas. And to protect ourselves! 

      If there is a problem there has to be a solution. And the only way out is for the team of gardeners to take full responsibility to track down the real culprit, the real bird. Meanwhile, since most of us in the audience still find it difficult to come to terms with the accusations, wondering if what we witnessed was just an illusion or an authentic display of truth, it would also definitely help if the accused mockingbird should come out of its hiding and sing a song of explanation. More so if it feels it has been wronged or victimized.  We don’t need anyone to fly away forever. However a clarification would most certainly end the tension that is building up and help clear the air.   

     Most here in this virtual garden are sensitive writers. Hence most of them will be an understanding and a forgiving lot. Since there are always three sides to a story- the right, the wrong and the truth, it would be helpful if the accused could have its say. As for the abuse and its conclusion, it would have to be taken after everything is out in the open. Because all said and done, I’m sure no one in their right minds would want to kill a mockingbird. And no one in his/her right mind would abet in this crime either.