Hello dear friends,
I hope this blog finds you in good health and high spirits.

Today’s writing prompt made me pause for a moment — “Have you ever had surgery? What for?” — and as I let that question sink in, a wave of nostalgia washed over me.

I smiled, not because surgery is something to be cheerful about, but because my only brush with it brought with it a childhood memory I cherish — one of innocence, passion, mischief, and a valuable life lesson.

I feel extremely lucky and grateful to the Almighty that I have never had to undergo any major surgery in my adult life. But yes, in my childhood, there was an incident that led me straight to the operating table — one that left a small scar on my leg but a big imprint on my heart.

I must have been around ten years old at the time. Like many young boys, I was full of energy, wonder, and curiosity. But there was one thing I loved more than anything else — Fishing.

Yes, every morning I would grab my little fishing stick — मेरी बंशी — and walk enthusiastically towards a nearby pond.

It was my secret world, where I would wait patiently by the water’s edge, lost in the hope of catching that perfect fish. The calm water, the chirping birds, and the gentle morning breeze — it was my slice of heaven.

One such morning, carried away in excitement, I decided to try something daring. I saw a large pipe structure laid across a narrow portion of the pond — it acted like a little bridge from one bank to the other.

My young, adventurous spirit urged me to climb onto the pipe to get a better angle for fishing. What I failed to notice was the sharp iron wire spiked mesh that was wound around the pipe — maybe to prevent people from climbing.

As I stood on the pipe, balancing my little feet and holding the fishing rod, destiny had other plans. My foot slipped. In a split second, I lost control and fell — and one of the sharp iron spikes pierced deep into my thigh.

The pain was unbearable. Blood trickled down, and my fishing dreams turned into tears and screams. I was rushed to the local doctor, and he advised minor surgery to clean and stitch the wound properly to avoid any infection.

I still remember how frightened I was. It was my first ever hospital visit, my first surgery — and for a child, it felt like the end of the world.

But in truth, that small surgery was the beginning of a valuable lesson.
Not only did it leave a mark on my leg, but it also left an impression on my life.

From that day onward, I gave up fishing — not because I feared it, but because I realized the importance of caution, safety, and respecting boundaries, especially in nature.

It’s fascinating how such incidents shape us. That injury taught me resilience. It made me aware of how fragile yet beautiful life is.

More importantly, it reminded me that even painful experiences can become treasured memories when we look back with wisdom.

As I write this today, I touch the scar on my leg and smile — not in pain, but with gratitude. For that small accident taught me about consequences.

It also gave me my first taste of bravery, as I endured stitches and recovery like a little warrior. It also made me appreciate the strength of the human body and the miracle of healing.

So, to answer today’s prompt — Yes, I have had surgery, though it was minor, and I was just a child. But the story behind it is far from minor.

It is a story I carry with pride — because sometimes, the smallest wounds carry the biggest life lessons.

In life, we all go through surgeries — some physical, some emotional. But each one helps us heal, grow, and move forward with a little more wisdom.

If you too, have a scar, don’t hide it. Every scar has a story, and every story deserves to be told.

Till next time,
Stay safe. Stay blessed.
And don’t forget to learn from every fall.

– Vijay Verma
www.retiredkalam.com

Categories: infotainment

Tags: #Life, #mental health, dailyprompt, dailyprompt-1984, featured, health, surgery, writing