Some gifts are remembered for ever. They have special attachment to one's life. Christmas celebrations are just over. New Year has arrived with new hopes and dreams. Somewhat, this is the time we speak on gifts that are special in someway. 

During childhood, getting a gift was always a nice dream. One who received a simple but special gift was a conqueror of everything. The smell and style of that gift will remain in every child’s mind all time. 

When I was in my lower primary class, I got a wonderful gift. That was a special one to me. I can't help but recollect that even now and for ever. Those were very exciting moments of my childhood. That was from gulf, from my eldest uncle. He was the first person from my family who flew to gulf. Gulf items were considered very rare and precious in those days’ and there were not many gulfites in our village. 

I remember that afternoon when our postman came just like a Santa Claus. He met our class teacher and inquired about me. After signing the postal form, I received the parcel item, with a "foreign" fragrance. My classmates surrounded me. They were restless to know the item inside. 

Their anxiety was more than mine. I was in a special mood and didn’t know how to respond to my fiends. I even worried about losing my gift, thanks to my selfishness. That day I was thrilled. I looked and looked at the gift box again and again. Finally, I broke the suspense and opened the parcel kit. 

'Hero' pen and two-folded umbrella! That was the gift. Certainly it was first time I came to experience the wonderful pen with golden - colored top and brown body. The umbrella was also attractive in many ways. Its folded-tail looked like a flower. When the children rounded me and made noise, the teacher had no other option but to send me home little earlier! 

Half day holiday and marvelous gifts!!! Anything more is needed to be excited? The next morning also many children surrounded and struck me asking about the new gifts.How to fill the ink? How to fold the umbrella? – Questions persisted for many days. I enjoyed the sparkling golden color of the cap under the hot sun, with my friends. Briefly, Hero pen made me also a’ hero’ for at least some time. 

I kept those gifts like treasures for many days. Pen was not used for writing in order to preserve it well. Umbrella was not open even in the heavy rains. I didn't want to lose its charm, fresh aroma. I preserved those gifts unhampered for long time. Those gifts were symbolic too; more than just a pen or umbrella. Pen was a temptation for writing. That umbrella was a symbol of protection.  

“Writing that protects you” was that message inside that treasure? I think that now. Simply a tool for writing that is pen. When you look into that deeply, you will get the power of pen. In my later life I realized that Pen is a powerful weapon. “Pen is mightier than sword.” Even if we use keyboard for writing, pen is still the symbol of "power” and “creativity.” 

So pen finds top place among the gift items. Now I am also in gulf. When I went for a shopping, I noticed the same old brand “Hero”. I couldn’t help but buy some ‘nostalgic’ pieces as gift item. Even the size and style of pen has altered all these years, "Hero”, made in China has still the royal look. China might had been entering slowly into the market slowly in those days.

- By Rajesh Kumar for CalicutNet.com

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