Published : 14/11/2024

Tasnim Rahman Tanisha

“I am ancient, I am an old-soul, I only abide by the rules of God,”

said the Atlantic, one of the seven oceans, loud and clear. The Pacific must have heard it from the other side of the world, as it growled and took pride in its own majestic form, perhaps to overpower the Atlantic. Although no one could tell a thing nor could hear any of those powerful callings, for they were unreachable to the human ear, except for one small human who was on an unknown ship. Looking over the large body of water and searching for the horizon of the world, the curious little girl leaned over to the edge of the ship’s railing.

She watched as the ship’s hull touched and moved aside the water below in a rhythmic pattern, almost as if the ship knew the water and the water knew the ship. So did the same for the little girl’s curly hair, as it moved back and forth in the air like a swing, while she watched the ocean with patient and eager eyes.

“I know what you are, mister,” said the little girl in a confident tone.

“Really? How would you know?” replied back the Atlantic, by giving a slight cold nudge towards the ship.

The girl smiled as she went, “Because I’ve heard you speak and I’ve seen you do mysterious things.”

“Well, that’s just who I am, little girl. Don’t go too presumptuous with your thoughts.”

“What’s that? Your words are quite funny like you,” replied the little girl while giggling.

The Atlantic remained silent.

The ship was lucky enough to be able to sail through such a monstrous being, lucky enough to be able to survive the unpredictable, seldom-cruel and cold Atlantic.

“Does this make you feel bad about yourself?” asked the young girl, now in a rather soft and gentle tone.

Maybe she really wanted to know whether the waters of the ocean were unforgiving to humankind or just mere beings doing what they were told to do. It’s quite queer though, a person ought to only look upon the vast blue surface to look out for one’s own reflection or to ponder upon one’s own solitary thoughts – not to have a conversation with what’s known as ‘lifeless’ or ‘unresponsive’.

“I don’t think I’m cruel but I also don’t think I’m good at heart- that’s the way I was created.

I’m only a trapped body who was given a bit of motion in life to wander about,” replied the Atlantic, sounding almost human with those realistic words.

“You’re so lucky to have freedom, my mama and papa would never let me go alone.

You have all the things to yourself,” said the little girl to the Atlantic, perhaps with a dream of becoming a part of the Atlantic someday, so she could do all the wondrous things in life too.

“My papa is taking us to America for a better life- he says. But I’m not too sure of it, I liked my life back home. But mama says that we should not be dull at accepting new things in life,” added the little girl.

“Your mama may be right, child. Go for it while you can,” replied the Atlantic with words of pure encouragement.

The ocean water rippled around the ship as calm waves rocked the ship.

“Do you ever feel lonely?” asked the little girl, fixating her deep blue eyes towards the ocean, a gaze that had an effect of both curiosity and sadness.

“I don’t know, I perhaps was not made to have those feelings,” replied the Atlantic in a clueless tone.

“That’s ridiculous! You can talk but not have feelings! I could never!” exclaimed the little girl.

She received little to no response from the Atlantic afterwards. Calming her nerves down, she went,

“You know, I used to have a little lamb of mine. Her name was Mary. I loved her so dearly and we both played together all the time. I miss her so very much.”

“My condolences,” sympathized the Atlantic.

“Do you ever miss anyone or do you lack that ability too?”

“I see hundreds and thousands of people going past me every day, some to chase their dreams, some to reunite with their loved ones. People don’t share any bond with me that could sadden me upon their departure. It’s all simple as that. I’m only a carrier for the vessel.” replied the Atlantic.

“So, you wouldn’t feel sad when I leave this ship?” asked the little girl. “I haven’t thought of it yet. It’s complicated,” replied the Atlantic, all ignorantly.

All this while, no one complained or noticed the young girl speaking with the Atlantic, for they were too busy with other things and possibly thought of the girl as someone ‘imaginative’. The ship docked at the port and all the passengers started rushing for their departure. The girl was still right there, by the ship’s railing, quite literally carried away by the ocean.

“It’s time for us to leave, honey,” said the little girls’ mother, as she held her hand and took her away with her.

The little girl could barely process the moment but she could see that her friend, the Atlantic, was waving her goodbye as the water in the ocean made movements as a gesture.

Author Details-
Name: Tasnim Rahman Tanisha
Institution: Chattogram Govt. Girls’ College
Grade: 11
Email: tani2008rahman@gmail.com