Essay on Autobiography of an Umbrella
“The mind is like an umbrella. It is most useful when open.” ~ Walter Gropius
I come in plain dark shades and also in bright colours. I can be so large in size so as to cover a whole lunch table or so small so as to fit in the palm of your hand. I can protect you not only from the rain but also from the sunlight. I am an umbrella.
I am made of wood, metal, plastic and cloth. My name umbrella originated from a Latin word known as Umbra. In ancient times I was made up of feathers, leaves, flags and cloth. My ancestors were used by royal people and people of great importance like the Generals of Armies.
But I am glad that umbrellas now are used not only by the rich but even by the middle class and the poor. We umbrellas love helping and shielding as many people as we can.
There is a famous tale relating to the birth of the first-ever umbrella. It is mentioned in the Hindu scriptures that once, there lived a very skilled bow shooter with his wife. He used to shoot arrows, and his wife would collect them immediately. But one day, his wife had taken a very long time to collect the arrows, and hence the bow shooter could not practice as much as he wanted to.
When the bow shooter asked his wife the reason why she took so much time, she told him that the sun’s scorching heat was responsible for it. This made the bow shooter angry, and he shot an arrow straight to the sun.
The sun in pain begged the shooter for his mercy and in return, offered his wife an umbrella which would keep her safe from his rays at all times. This story makes me feel proud that it was the Sun God, who made me.
My Journey
Let me now tell you about my journey. I was born in a factory and was supplied to a shop owner. I was displayed in a shop next to a kid’s toy store. I had a yellow background and red polka dots on me.
I was sure that I would be picked up by a child. And that was indeed true. I still remember the first day I met Riya. Her hair was tied into two ponytails, and she had beautiful slight freckles on her face.
She was in the kid’s store looking at the latest models of Barbie when she spotted me through the glass window. I could literally see her eyes light up.
She quickly grabbed her father’s hand and came to me. She told him that she wanted to take me home because I was the prettiest thing that she had ever seen.
I was happy to do anything for Riya. I was pleased to let the sun’s punishing rays fall on me and save my little Riya from getting any sunburns.
I was happy to protect my little angel from freezing rain droplets. I was delighted to be hung behind the hook of her bedroom door. Riya carried me around like I was some sort of a trophy or a medal.
Her friends also loved me and told her that they were attracted very much by my bright polka dates. They used to say to her that they wished they had an umbrella just like me.
Then one day, Riya was swinging me in the air while walking playfully in the park when all of a sudden, I hit the ground very hard, and she tripped and fell on me.
I was bent and even broken in some places. But I didn’t feel hurt for myself. I was sad that Riya also got hurt and that she cried. Her knee even bled a little. Her mother saw it and immediately came to her aid.
She gave me to a person to be mended in his umbrella shop. He tried very hard to fix me for a week. But I guess I was broken beyond any repair.
Riya’s mom then brought her a new umbrella which looked a lot like me. I hope that the umbrella keeps her happy and protects her. I also hope that Riya does not forget about me and keeps me cherished in her thoughts.
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