Read the Burlington Award-winning story by Parnika Dutta as she beautifully narrates her journey of learning to pedal and embracing sustainability, all under the loving guidance of her Papa.
From all the tiny steps I walked as a child to the miles I rode on my bicycle, one man was always there by my side —my father, constantly guiding me to face any challenge that I faced. Among these challenges, one stands out above all, one with memories that will always remain unforgettable: it was when I learnt to ride a bicycle for the first time.
WHEN I WAS ALMOST FIVE ….
I was snacking on my favourite chocolate bar when I saw something on the television that instantly fascinated me. It was a beauty —the cycle of my dreams: a red and blue BSA bicycle. My jaw nearly dropped to the floor as I continued to stare at the screen. My awe was broken when I heard my mother.
“Come for lunch, dear. The food is ready.”
It was then that I realised I was equally hungry, besides being spellbound, so I rushed to the dining table. My mother was setting the plates as my father came in. After a few bites, I was still hungry, but less so. I decided to approach my parents about the bicycle—I really wanted it, you see.
I gazed at Papa’s face; he looked relaxed, as always. I turned to my mother; she looked satisfied. I gathered my courage and said, “Papa, you know I’ll turn five this year, don’t you?”
“Yes, my dear, I know,” he responded.
“So… have you decided on my gift?” Without waiting for an answer, I added, “If not, then can I get a bicycle?”
“Where did this bicycle fever come from?” My mother grinned.
Baba, on the other hand, was as calm. He said, “Okay, I’ll figure it out later.”
And thus, the conversation came to an end.
I finished my lunch, but Papa’s words echoed in my ears: I’ll figure it out later. That meant after a trillion years because he would surely forget—I was certain of it. Realising this, my entire chain of thoughts and dreams came to an abrupt halt in less than a millisecond.
I went back to the living room, disappointed, as my colourful world turned black and white. But I kept thinking: Papa didn’t say ‘no’ either, so I just needed to wait—perhaps endlessly.
Gradually, I forgot about the bicycle and my dreams of it. But then, just three days later, something magical happened.
It was a Saturday, I remember. My parents picked me up from school, and we were on our way back. But then I noticed we were on a different road that was surely not homeward bound. I was puzzled.
After a while, adding to my confusion, Papa stopped the car in front of a cycle shop. My parents bought me the very cycle I had wished for so desperately. I was thrilled, surprised, and confused all at once. There was no way I could have guessed this!
Reaching home, I started cleaning my bicycle and dreaming of riding it to school. My mother smiled and said, “You also have to learn how to ride it. Just taking care of it won’t do.”
DREAMS TO REALITY ….
I fell for the ninety-seventh time and said, “Riding a cycle is no easy job. Maybe it’s because my cycle doesn’t drink up petrol like your car and bike.”
“I agree—learning to ride is indeed not an easy task. And you’re right, your cycle doesn’t need petrol. It’s an eco-friendly vehicle, you see,” Papa said as he helped me up.
“What’s an eco-friendly vehicle?” I asked, quite confused.
“An eco-friendly vehicle is one that doesn’t pollute the environment—like your bicycle, which needs no petrol,” my father explained. “It’s also called a sustainable vehicle.”
“What’s a sustainable vehicle, now?” I asked, even more puzzled.
“A sustainable vehicle doesn’t require resources that don’t last for long—like cars that need petrol refined from fossil fuels, which will run out one day and take millions of years to form again. Cars and bikes need petrol, but your cycle only needs your own strength. This helps save our Earth for future generations.”
“Oh, I see,” I said, while trying to process all this new information.
I kept trying again and again and finally learnt to ride, though it took quite a few days to master it completely.
AND THEN ONE DAY ….
“I love this mango pickle,” I said. “I want a bit more.”
But Papa took the jar away and said, “If you eat everything today, what will you eat tomorrow?”
“Who cares about tomorrow?” I replied.
“That’s exactly what I was trying to teach you the other day,” Papa began. “This is sustainability. If you eat a little every day, you can enjoy it for a long time.”
BACK FROM THE PAST ….
That day, I learnt about sustainability—something our world desperately needs. I can relate to it even today, because Papa explained it to me so simply with pickles. Today, I not only ride my bicycle but also plant trees to help make the world a better place. And for me, plastic is a strict NO.
Since my childhood, my parents have focused on making me a good person. They never pressured me about academics; instead, they focused on instilling values.
Greenery should be expanded far and wide, pollution must be reduced, and sustainable resources should be introduced and used more. If we do these things, we can make our world better and healthier.
Today, I can proudly say that I will live by the values my parents instilled in me and do my best to make this world a better place. And that is why I prefer cycling to using cars and bikes.
