A nostalgic childhood story about learning to ride a cycle, the challenges faced, and the joy of finally getting a dream Hero cycle. A tale of patience, perseverance, and a father’s gentle guidance.
When I was four or five, I was standing on the balcony and saw some children cycling with my elder sister.
The next day too, I saw another girl, probably my age, riding a cycle. After seeing everyone ride, I also wanted to do so, but I didn’t know how.
I went and told my father, “I also want to ride.”
He replied, “When you are seven years old, then you can give it a try.”
I was upset.
Two years passed by and I turned seven. I asked my father, “I’m seven years old now. Can I ride now?”
My father agreed and said, “Okay.”
“So, can I get a new one?” I asked.
“You have to practise with your elder sister’s cycle first,” my father replied.
“But why?”
“You must learn how to ride on your sister’s cycle. Once you’ve learnt, then you can get a new one,” my father said.
I went to my mother and said, “Maa, my dream is a Hero cycle.”
“I will get you a new one, but as your father said, first you have to learn how to ride,” my mother replied.
“Okay.”
“So, you have to start your lessons from tomorrow,” my mother added.
“Okay, Maa.”
The next day I started practising, but whenever I tried to ride, I fell down again and again. My father saw me from a distance. He came up and said, “Give the cycle to your elder sister and watch how she rides. Then do exactly what she does.”
These were my first lessons from my father. I did exactly what I was told and after a few days, as if by magic, I found I could ride the cycle easily.
After I returned home, my father said, “Congratulations! You have crossed the first step, so I will remove the side wheels.”
The next day I tried again but I couldn’t ride without them.
My father said, “Be brave and keep trying. You can do it.”
After that, I practised every day. After a month, suddenly, I realised I could ride! I was very happy. Since then, I wake up every morning, take my cycle, and go for a ride.
Ding Dong.
Wait, someone is at the door. Let me check…
“Ahh… Papa, what is this?”
“Your new Hero cycle…!”
