Snow!

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‘Grandpa! Look, It’s snowing!’

Five-year-old Emily jumped in glee, her little hands coming together in a joyous clap.

I smile at her and run my hands over her hairless scalp. The doctors had given her only three more months to live.

‘Grandpa! Is it Christmas again?’ Her smile drove stakes through my heart. Emily’s generation’s struggles were because of the decadent behavior of my generation.

‘Can I play in the snow, Grandpa?’

‘Not in this snow, sweetheart!’

Outside, the poisonous foam that resembled snow kept falling.

This story was inspired by the contamination of two lakes in my city, Bangalore, which created the aforementioned poisonous foams. The lakes, once sources of drinking water, became ground zero for dumping of unprocessed industrial effluents and sewage contaminating them permanently. There have been efforts undertaken by the Government along with eco-conscious organizations, but progress has been extremely slow. While we, thankfully, live far away from the lakes, there are tens of thousands who still live around the vicinity and are exposed to the potentially carcinogenic environment. Our generation does have a lot to answer to the future. Let’s be responsible as much as possible. Thank you. 

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Actual picture of the poisonous foams from Bellendur lake, Bangalore. 

Written in response to Roger Bultot’s picture prompt for Friday Fictioneers, hosted by our beloved host, Rochelle. Please head over here for more stories.