In defense of Oliver Twist (3)- (The Oliver in you)

In the preceding parts of this trilogy, the author traced the history of defamation of the character of Oliver Twist - greedy. Attempt was made not only to correct this notion but also to depict Oliver Twist in the character he belongs – a true hero. At birth he cheated death in the first few critical seconds of his life when he gasped for breath. While growing up, he endured severe hardship and survived under deplorable conditions. Oliver was a survivor. Even when fate handed him the famous task of leading the campaign to “ask for more”, he did not refuse (though it took a little prompting) to do what no one has ever done in the history of the workhouse.

Many may journey through live like Oliver; sojourning where fate pushes them; doing very little to change their circumstance, and weathering the storms of life like an inflated vessel. But that’s what life is full of – a tug of war; a see-saw; a flip-flop. But like every situation an event, which acts like a trigger – like the nudge to ask for more – exists. Like Oliver Twist, we must not refuse the nudge to ask for more either on our behalf or on behalf of others, as our destinies may lie in that.

However, inertia, as described by Newton’s first law of motion is the most active law in human behaviour – humans continue to do what they are doing (or do nothing) until an external force is applied upon them. Inertia has robbed many of their creative talents, transforming them into android; shrouding their minds from discovering whom they are (or not) and what they are supposed to be doing (or not). Inertia!

Well perhaps, it may not be inertia; it may be called “capacity building”, “gathering momentum”, gestation period, etc. Whatever it is that have caged your potential, be ready to spring when the trigger is pull; be ready to stand up and be counted when you feel the nudge like Oliver. Whatever be the challenges, remember: “It is persistence, that enable the snail reach the Ark in the days of Noah”

Push forward – there is an Oliver in you; a hero is you.